Blog

Shikha Jain: Hiding or removing scientific data puts lives at risk

Photo from Shikha Jain/LinkedIn

Feb 2, 2025, 17:06

Shikha Jain: Hiding or removing scientific data puts lives at risk

Shikha Jain, Founder and President of Women in Medicine and Women In Medicine Summit, shared on LinkedIn:

“Hiding or removing scientific data doesn’t protect the public – it puts lives at risk.

Transparency in public health and scientific research is fundamental to trust, safety, and effective policymaking. Yet, we are now witnessing deliberate decisions to remove critical scientific data and public health information from our nation’s most trusted institutions, including the CDC, FDA, and NIH. These actions are not just concerning – they undermine public health, erode confidence in our medical institutions, and leave communities vulnerable.

Access to accurate, evidence-based information is essential for healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the public to make informed decisions. Suppressing or erasing this data does not protect us; it weakens our ability to respond to crises, from pandemics to chronic disease management.

Science must inform policy – not be silenced for political convenience.

We cannot afford to let misinformation or suppression dictate our nation’s health policies. I urge my colleagues, scientists, healthcare professionals, and advocates to speak up. Demand transparency. Hold leaders accountable. Support organizations that fight for evidence-based policies.

We must ensure that decisions impacting public health are rooted in facts, not politics. Our future depends on it.”

shikha jain