UPDATE: Data? Who Needs Data? CDC NHANES Staff Restored

UPDATE: Axios reports the administration has now reversed its decision that eliminated NHANES staff at CDC. It seems that tariff policy is not the only whipsaw game in town.

 
Pesky facts and data get in the way of policymakers who want to pursue their agenda. So should we be surprised that the critical staff for producing NHANES data at CDC were all eliminated last weekend? Probably not.

In the logic of this firing, this administration has its plan for “solving the chronic disease crisis” to make America healthy. But actual health statistics can get in the way of proving a point or claiming glorious success. So who needs that?

Not Buying the Illogic

NHANES is the National Health and Nutrition Survey. Folks who pay attention to facts, data, and science see this gut punch to NHANES as disastrous. For instance, the American Society for Nutrition called for an immediate reversal of these firings, saying they threaten the nation’s ability to understand the health and nutrition of Americans. They explain the importance of having actual facts about health and nutrition:

“NHANES data are used to guide federal policymaking in areas including food labeling, food fortification, food safety, dietary guidance, tracking progress toward national nutrition and health objectives, and establishing nutrition research priorities. The survey influences billions of dollars in federal investments, and is essential to nutrition and health research, policy, and programs.”

Former CDC Director Tom Frieden describes the impact these firings will have:

“Running NHANES well requires highly specialized skills developed over years. The office coordinates complex fieldwork, laboratory testing, and data integration. Losing them will severely weaken the nation’s ability to see and steer its health.”

Making Sense of It

Perhaps all the talk about “making America healthy” is just for show. An unserious political ploy. If so, then getting rid of statistics for the health of America makes sense. Maybe that’s it.

Click here, here, and here for more on this concerning development.

Void, photograph by Billie Grace Ward, licensed under CC BY 2.0

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October 16, 2025