U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told department staff he would challenge long-held medical assumptions, including vaccine policies and the role of environmental factors in chronic disease.
Chelsea Cirruzzo and Adam Cancryn report for POLITICO.
In short:
- Kennedy pledged to investigate previously “taboo” topics like childhood vaccines, antidepressants, processed foods, electromagnetic radiation and glyphosate, saying he would rely on “unbiased science.”
- He avoided addressing mass firings and budget cuts at HHS but suggested that staff resistant to his reforms could leave.
- A new commission, formed by President Donald Trump and chaired by Kennedy, will examine chronic disease causes, including childhood obesity and overmedication.
Key quote:
"I’m going to keep asking questions but hold my preconceived answers lightly. I’m willing to be wrong."
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr., U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services
Why this matters:
Kennedy has been an outspoken critic of regulatory agencies he claims have been compromised by corporate interests, and his leadership is expected to usher in heightened scrutiny of vaccine policies, environmental health factors and chronic disease management. His appointment has drawn praise from those who see him as a champion of so-called medical freedom and transparency, while others are alarmed that his views could undermine trust in public health initiatives: Kennedy has used his platform to spread misinformation about vaccine safety. The Elon Musk-led federal government restructuring adds further uncertainty, as funding cuts and staffing changes may affect the agency’s ability to carry out its mission.
Related: RFK Jr.’s confirmation to lead HHS sparks fear among public health experts
