ProPublica
Follow
Trump’s War on Measurement Means Losing Data on Drug Use, Maternal Mortality, Climate Change and More
The federal government's data collection capabilities are severely threatened due to significant budget cuts. These cuts impact various agencies, hindering the ability to track crucial societal indicators. Data on child mortality, mental health, immigration, and substance abuse are among those at risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have experienced substantial reductions in data collection programs. This jeopardizes the tracking of critical issues like climate change, disease outbreaks, and environmental justice. The loss of data also impacts the evaluation of government policies, making it difficult to assess their effectiveness. This data reduction could hinder future policymaking and public accountability. The administration's actions seem contradictory, as some of the lost data supports their own arguments. The consequences of this data loss are immense and potentially irreversible. The absence of reliable data hinders evidence-based decision-making and public oversight. Rebuilding this capacity will be a significant challenge in the future.