FDA Staffers Told Not to Use Words Like ‘Women’, ‘Elderly’, ‘Sex’, White House Calls it an ‘Error’- wna24

Washington: A list of banned words quietly circulated within the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), restricting terms like “sex,” “identity,” “women,” “diverse,” and “elderly” from official use, according to Reuters. The move, which came without explanation, was part of a broader effort under the Trump administration to reshape public health language.  

Following the directive, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) took down publicly available health data, including HIV-related datasets, and withdrew scientific papers from publication to undergo review by Trump-appointed officials. The sudden removal of crucial health information has sparked concerns among public health experts.  

Medical researchers and policymakers argue that banning key terms could restrict their ability to address pressing health issues, particularly those affecting vulnerable communities. The move, they say, undermines efforts to tackle diseases like HIV and sexually transmitted infections.  

Amid growing criticism, a White House spokesperson clarified that most of the terms on the FDA’s list did not require removal. The official suggested that FDA staff may have misinterpreted an executive order aimed at limiting “gender ideology” in federal communications. However, no clear directive has been issued to reverse the restrictions.