Data Experts Mobilize to Preserve U.S. Government Statistics

As concerns grow over the integrity of U.S. government statistics, a group of dedicated statisticians, demographers, and computer scientists is taking action to preserve vital data. Following significant changes to various datasets since early 2023, these experts have banded together to safeguard information they believe is essential for informed policymaking and democratic processes.

The urgency of their mission intensified after reports emerged that data related to crucial topics—including gender, health, and climate change—has been either altered or removed from government websites. Mary Jo Mitchell, director of government and public affairs for the Population Association of America, expressed optimism about the efforts, stating, “There are such smart, passionate people who care deeply about the integrity of the statistical system. And that gives me hope, even during these challenging times.”

Data Alterations and Workforce Cuts

Since January, the data landscape in the United States has faced unprecedented challenges. According to experts, not only have critical data sets disappeared, but job cuts within statistical agencies have further jeopardized the preservation of information. Jennifer Park, a study director for the Committee on National Statistics, highlighted the gravity of the situation, noting, “There are trillions of bytes of data files, and I can’t even imagine how many public dollars were spent to collect those data. But right now, they’re sitting someplace that is inaccessible because there are no staff to appropriately manage those data.”

One notable incident occurred in February when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) took down its official health data portal, data.cdc.gov, which was later restored. Around the same time, users attempting to access data from the U.S. Census Bureau encountered messages indicating that certain information was “unavailable due to maintenance.”

Research conducted by Janet Freilich and Aaron Kesselheim revealed that almost half of the 232 federal public health data sets they examined had been “substantially altered” in early 2023. Notably, many datasets saw the term “gender” replaced with “sex,” raising concerns about the implications for understanding and addressing gender-related issues.

Efforts to Preserve Data

In response to these alarming developments, various organizations have emerged to monitor, collect, and preserve U.S. federal data. Initiatives such as dataindex.com, managed by the Federation of American Scientists, track changes to federal datasets, while the University of Chicago Library has created the Data Mirror website to back up at-risk data. The Data Rescue Project serves as a clearinghouse for these efforts, bringing together individuals focused on data preservation.

In addition to these initiatives, external advocates are discreetly reaching out to employees within statistical agencies, encouraging them to back up any restricted data. “You can’t trust that this data is going to be here tomorrow,” said Lena Bohman, a founding member of the Data Rescue Project.

Another significant initiative involves the unofficial revival of the Census Scientific Advisory Committee, which was disbanded by the Trump administration in March 2023. Although Census Bureau officials will not attend the upcoming advisory committee meeting, members plan to forward their recommendations to the bureau. Demographer Allison Plyer mentioned that some agency officials are showing interest in the committee’s re-emergence, despite it operating outside official channels.

“We will send them recommendations but we don’t expect them to respond since that would be frowned upon,” Plyer stated. “They just aren’t getting any outside expertise, and they want expertise, which is understandable from nerds.”

The mobilization of these data enthusiasts reflects a broader concern about the transparency and reliability of U.S. government statistics. As they work to ensure that vital data remains accessible, their efforts highlight the essential role that accurate information plays in a functioning democracy.