Professors, researchers, health professionals and other stakeholders in the Netherlands express their concern regarding censure of sex, gender and diversity in research in the US

The below Op-Ed was first published in the Dutch Volkskrant on 19th February 2025 and was signed by 300 professors, researchers, health professionals and other stakeholders in the Netherlands.

In the United States, research into the role of sex and gender in health is being obstructed, with serious consequences. Studies are being halted, funding withdrawn, scientists are forbidden from using specific words, and scientific publications are being retracted. This has a direct impact on everyone’s health, especially women and underrepresented groups. A diverse society requires knowledge about health disparities to provide high-quality, person-centered care. Inclusive research enables healthcare providers to account for the factors affecting the health of different groups, thus offering personalized healthcare.

In the first weeks of his presidency, Trump signed decrees that block research into sex, gender, diversity, and inclusivity. Leaked emails revealed lists of forbidden words in scientific publications by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Science Foundation, including “female,” “women,” “gender,” “inclusive,” and “LGBT.” Researchers who use these terms risk losing funding and their jobs. This political pressure is increasingly limiting certain research areas, threatening the progress of inclusive science. In the Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant, Dutch scientists in the US describe their experiences firsthand and how political pressure is increasingly limiting certain research areas.

This censorship impacts not only science but also patient care. For example, the website of a leading U.S. research institute on women’s health was stripped of medical knowledge. Information about health disparities, disease, and mortality related to pregnancy and childbirth was removed or filtered. Medical guidelines for safe contraception were taken offline, making essential information on topics like contraception use in people with migraine or diabetes inaccessible to doctors. Some of these pages have been restored by court order, but not in their original form; it remains unclear which information is missing or altered, undermining the reliability of these sources and fundamentally damaging trust in their accuracy and completeness. While political leaders claim to protect women from “dangerous gender ideology,” their health is, in fact, being endangered.

The consequences are being felt internationally for instance in the Netherlands, where the impact of Trump’s policies on Dutch science is described as chilling. This situation highlights how vulnerable the progress of sex- and gender sensitive health and medicine can be. Science depends on international collaboration. Researchers worldwide conduct joint studies, peer-review them, and develop global medical guidelines. When researchers are no longer allowed to work, or when access to filtered scientific databases becomes the norm, inclusive health research is severely hindered. This also creates a “chilling effect,” where scientists avoid certain research topics or terminology, undermining progress in sex- and gender-sensitive healthcare globally.

Investing in sex- and gender-sensitive research is not only a matter of justice but also of societal and economic relevance. Research shows that reducing the health gap between men and women worldwide could yield up to $1 trillion in economic benefits through reduced medical leave and increased productivity. Improving care for female-specific conditions could save billions annually through lower healthcare costs and sickness- or medical leave. To address health disparities, a global agenda for inclusive health is needed, combining research, policy, and practice to reduce these gaps.

Yet, much work remains to be done. The historical disadvantages faced by women and gender minorities are far from being overcome. While sex- and gender-specific health is receiving more attention, much medical knowledge is still based on research conducted with male patients, and inequalities in healthcare and research persist. The situation in the U.S. shows how quickly this progress can be reversed. Without strong counteraction, similar setbacks could affect global advancements in sex- and gender-sensitive care and research.

Science and healthcare can only thrive in an environment of independence, free from censorship and financial sanctions. The consequences are most severe for women, girls, and minority groups, but ultimately affect societies as a whole.

Policymakers and leaders worldwide: support your researchers and safeguard high-quality, inclusive healthcare for everyone.Initiators:

Prof. Sabine Oertelt-Prigione, Radboud university medical center
Dr. Sanne Peters, UMC Utrecht 
Dr. Petra Verdonk, Beyond Boundary and NVG&G
Dr. Irene Göttgens, Radboud university medical center
Dr. Margot Morssinkhof, Amsterdam UMC

For a complete list of names (300) see NVG&G (Dutch Society for Gender and Health). This page will also lead to a page where you can sign the petition.

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