More or Less: Behind the Stats The Case of the Missing US Data
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Sep 27, 2025 In early 2025, thousands of US government webpages vanished, creating an uproar. Professors Levinstein and Kubale explain how executive orders and budget cuts led to this data crisis. Key datasets on gender identity and health were altered, impacting crucial research and services. The discussion highlights the importance of the PRAMS dataset for maternal health, and how access has dramatically changed. Concerns about trust and data integrity loom large as efforts emerge to safeguard what's left. Why does this matter? Tune in to find out!
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Mass Removal Of Government Data
- In February 2025 thousands of US government web pages and datasets disappeared after executive actions and removals.
- The removals affected agencies like CDC, NIH and the Census and left many datasets inaccessible or altered.
Executive Orders Trigger Cautious Takedowns
- Executive orders restricting language on race, gender, climate and other topics prompted agencies to take entire websites offline.
- Agencies removed sites because they feared non-compliance with new policies, not necessarily because each page violated rules.
Staff Cuts Undermine Data Production
- Large-scale staff cuts and budget reductions removed people who collect and publish data, disrupting access and future collection.
- Funding and personnel losses directly degraded the ability to maintain high-quality public statistics.