What Robert F. Kennedy Jr's Appointment Means for Public Health

On November 14th, President-elect Donald Trump announced his nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent anti-vaccine activist with a 40-year history of promoting pseudoscience and conspiracy theories, to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). As someone who has spent over 12 years in public health and nearly a decade in healthcare, I can hardly imagine a worse choice for this position. The HHS oversees critical agencies like the CDC, FDA, NIH, Centers for Medicare, and Medicaid, responsible for everything from the safety of our food and drugs to overseeing health insurance programs that provide coverage to millions of Americans.

The Department of Health and Human Services is a nearly $2 trillion agency that manages close to 25% of the federal budget and employs more than 80,000 federal workers. It plays a crucial role in safeguarding the health of our nation, coordinating responses to public health emergencies, and setting the tone for scientific research and policy. Handing the reins of this powerful agency to someone who actively undermines science is nothing short of reckless.

As I mentioned on BBC recently, this nomination has sent shockwaves across the public health community. In speaking to colleagues at HHS, the prevailing sentiments are dismay, concern, and profound uncertainty. Many career scientists, who have dedicated their lives to advancing public health, are now considering leaving their posts, fearing that their work may be dismantled or overshadowed by disinformation.

The Washington Post compiled a list of 10 false claims RFK Jr. has publicly made over the years, which include:

If there’s one takeaway from this growing list of false claims, it’s this: RFK Jr. has made a career out of spreading dangerous mis and disinformation that undermines public health efforts. His appointment to HHS threatens to institutionalize these harmful beliefs at the highest levels of government.

There are numerous reasons why this nomination is deeply concerning:

Erosion of Trust in Science

For decades, Kennedy has spread conspiracy theories that have fueled vaccine hesitancy and undermined life-saving public health initiatives. Trust in public health agencies is already fragile, as evidenced by a 2022 study published in Health Affairs. This study found that trust in these agencies largely hinges on their ability to provide clear, science-based recommendations and resources. However, trust declines when there are perceptions of political influence or inconsistent guidance. The appointment of someone like Kennedy, who is deeply entrenched in disinformation, will erode the public’s confidence further, making it even harder to address health crises.

Undermining Public Health Agencies

As head of HHS, Kennedy would have oversight over agencies like the CDC, FDA, NIH and more. These institutions are vital to our nation’s ability to respond to health emergencies, conduct essential research, and protect the public. Kennedy’s history of attacking the credibility of these agencies and promoting unproven treatments threatens to paralyze their effectiveness. When public health agencies are weakened, the entire country pays the price with delayed responses to infectious diseases, reduced access to life-saving medications, and deteriorating health outcomes.

Potentially Catastrophic Policy Shifts

Kennedy’s advocacy against proven public health measures poses significant risks. For example, he recently stated on social media that he would support Trump’s efforts to remove fluoride from drinking water, a move that ignores decades of evidence showing its benefits in preventing tooth decay. Additionally, he has expressed interest in halting infectious disease research at NIH for eight years in favor of focusing on chronic diseases. This proposal is deeply troubling at a time when infectious disease outbreaks are on the rise both in the U.S. and globally. Reducing our capacity to research and respond to emerging infections would be a disaster waiting to happen.

So, What’s at Stake?

Kennedy’s appointment could fundamentally shift the priorities of HHS, turning it into a vehicle for disinformation and anti-science policies. His views on vaccines, fluoride, and biotechnology are not just fringe opinions; they are beliefs that, if implemented as policy, could reverse years of progress in public health, harm vulnerable populations, and lead to preventable illness and death.

The Senate must recognize the dangers of confirming someone with a long history of undermining science to lead our nation’s most important health agency. This is not just a political decision—it is a decision that will impact the health and safety of millions of Americans for years to come.