Robert F. Kennedy Jr., with a promise to target fluoride in drinking water, might reshape U.S. health policy as Donald Trump's re-election appears certain.
Annabelle Timsit and Dan Diamond report for The Washington Post.
In short:
- Kennedy, who endorsed Trump, claims fluoride is linked to health issues like neurodevelopmental disorders, vowing to remove it from U.S. water systems.
- The CDC has supported water fluoridation since the 1960s for its role in preventing tooth decay, a key public health achievement recognized worldwide.
- Scientific debate continues, with recent studies suggesting potential neurodevelopmental risks, though public health officials still view fluoridation as safe and effective.
Key quote:
“More studies are urgently needed to understand and mitigate the impacts in the entire U.S. population.”
— Tracy Bastain, USC associate professor and study author
Why this matters:
Fluoride in drinking water has been a bedrock of public health policy, improving dental health for millions, particularly in low-income communities where access to dental care is often limited. If Kennedy’s proposals gain traction, the debate could reshape longstanding practices, challenging public trust in health interventions. Read more: We add it to drinking water for our teeth — but is fluoride hurting us?
