CDC barred from using 'evidence-based,' 'science-based' in reports: 7 things to know

Alia Paavola -

The Trump administration allegedly banned the CDC from using a list of seven words, including "evidence-based" and "science-based," in official reports, according to The Washington Post.

Here are seven things to know.

1. Senior CDC officials informed the agency's policy analysts of the forbidden terms at a meeting Dec. 14 in Atlanta.

2. The seven forbidden terms are "diversity," "entitlement," "fetus," "transgender," "vulnerable," "evidence-based" and "science-based."

3. In some scenarios, analysts were given phrases to replace the terms. For example, instead of using the words "science-based," the suggested phrase is the "CDC bases its recommendations on science in consideration with community standards and wishes," according to The Washington Post. In other instances, no replacement words were offered.

4. Policy analysts are reportedly barred from using the terms in official documents being prepared for the 2019 budget.

5. Policy analysts told The Washington Post that the senior CDC officials did not say why the words were banned, and instead were "merely relaying the information."

6. HHS, which oversees the CDC, "will continue to use the best scientific evidence available to improve the health of all Americans," HHS spokesman Matt Lloyd told The Washington

7. Other branches of HHS are likely adhering to the same list of forbidden words, according to the report.

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