Last week Matthew Noe shared an update (alt text available on clickthrough) -
Sharing this update provided to me directly about the state of NLM and the future of NNLM, traveling exhibits, and, somehow, MedlinePlus.
I am so worried for friends and colleagues, and I'm stuck on that, but it is hard to not want to scream WTF about a MedlinePlus with no new material.
#medlibs
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— Matthew Noe 🔜 #ALAAC25 (@noethematt.bsky.social) June 18, 2025 at 5:36 AM
There is much concern about these potential directions of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM). Following up from last week's post, there's still no sign of FY25 funding for NNLM (source) which should have begun on May 1 (6/30 edit to add: I published this blog entry at 6 am Pacific time June 23; I note FY25 NNLM NOA (Notice of Award) dated June 23 have been posted for many but not all NNLM). It's heartening to see Outside groups organize to form unbiased, independent vaccine panel.
Speaking of bias, I had been both using & recommending MedlinePlus.gov as a source of 'trusted health information for you' in plain language since I was an NNLM intern in 2007.
I don't anymore as MedlinePlus and other federal health information resources contain bias by exclusion for American Indians and Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, Black and African Americans, Latino and Hispanic Americans, LGBTQIA+, and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders with the 2025 administration change.
This is my federal health information resources teaching strategy that I've been using with students, researchers & faculty for when a website no longer works or now seems to have less inclusive information since Federal DEI websites go dark after Trump order and threat of 'consequences'
- Look at the current information (a MedlinePlus example, Population Groups).
- Look at the previous information using archive.org (Population Groups on January 14, 2025).
- Who/what is included there now?
- Who/what was included there but is now excluded?
- Why is that?
American Indians and Alaska Natives have been here since time immemorial -
Why is that? There is no apparent reason, and -
Why is that when at a glance they may look the same?
Look deeper; the first section is unchanged, strikethroughs were January 18, 2025 wording, + are current changes:
This profile offers an overview of the social, economic, and environmental factors that shape the health of the American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) population in the United States. Considering the unique environments, cultures, histories, and circumstances of AI/AN populations is fundamental to improving their health outcomes and reducing longstanding disparities. These factors, known as social determinants of health (SDOH), affect various health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks. Non-medical factors like poverty, limited access to healthcare, and lack of education are all examples of individual SDOH that contribute to health disparities. + Factors such as education, income, and health insurance coverage, which are examples of non-medical drivers to health, can affect various health, function, and quality-of-life outcomes and contribute to disparities in health outcomes.
