Administration orders HHS to halt external communications

The Trump Administration told federal health agencies to halt external communications, including regular scientific reports, updates to websites and health advisories. Acting Health Secretary Dorothy Fink, MD, provided a follow-up memo to the directive, which will be effective through Feb. 1. Fink’s memo states health agency employees should have all documents and communications reviewed and approved by a presidential appointee before releasing them. The memo directed employees to notify presidential appointees of any documents or communications that should be excluded from the directive because they are required by law or are critical for health, safety or other reasons. (CNN article, 1/21/25)