Health leaders said they were alarmed about a report that officials at the nation’s top public health agency are being told not to use words or phrases including “fetus,” “transgender” and “science-based” in official budget documents. On Saturday a CDC official confirmed CDC officials were given “feedback” from higher ranks of the federal government at a recent meeting to reconsider certain language in draft budget documents. That the agency could be censoring certain language sparked alarm and anger from some science and public health experts. Dr Sandro Galea, dean of Boston University’s School of Public Health, said “the words that we use ultimately describe what we care about and what we think are priorities. A CDC spokeswoman said she is not aware of any guidance that prohibits CDC scientists from using “health equity” or any other words or phrases in presentations or talks.

Source: The Guardian December 17, 2017 12:56 UTC