The article highlights the critical role of data collection in government decision-making and the potential repercussions of the Department of Government Efficiency’s drastic cuts to federal data programs. The article reveals that essential data collection efforts across various agencies are being dismantled, jeopardizing the availability of crucial information for policymakers, business leaders, and the public.
Examples cited include the Department of Health and Human Services’ layoffs affecting drug use and mental health surveys, the CDC’s reductions in tracking accidental deaths and HIV cases, and the EPA’s plan to cease reporting greenhouse gas emissions. The article also points out the impact on immigration enforcement data, weather forecasting, and educational assessments due to these cutbacks.
Furthermore, the article discusses the potential motivations behind these data cutbacks, including hindering scrutiny of policy outcomes and ideological clashes. Experts and researchers express concerns about the administration’s disregard for data-driven decision-making and the implications for understanding societal issues and holding leaders accountable.
Ultimately, the article emphasizes the alarming consequences of diminishing data collection efforts on the country’s ability to address challenges effectively and make informed decisions. The loss of crucial data sets raises questions about the future of evidence-based governance and the public’s ability to assess policy impacts. The article underscores the urgent need to preserve and rebuild the nation’s measurement capacity for the well-being of society as a whole.
