The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

In Robert F. Kennedy Jr, the US has put a conspiracy theorist in charge of public health

  • Written by Hassan Vally, Associate Professor, Epidemiology, Deakin University



Overnight, Robert F. Kennedy Jr was confirmed[1] as the secretary of the US Health and Human Services Department. Put simply, this makes him the most influential figure in overseeing the health and wellbeing of more than 330 million Americans.

As health secretary, Kennedy will be involved in overseeing federal health agencies[2] that regulate medical research, disease prevention, drug approvals and health-care programs.

This includes oversight of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health, which are among the most crucial public health agencies in the country.

Reports suggest he’ll oversee a budget in the order of US$1.8 trillion[3] (A$2.8 trillion) annually.

In the era of Trump 2.0, there’s little that shocks me anymore. But Kennedy would have to be the most unqualified person ever to hold this crucial role of protecting the health of the American people.

A history of discounting science

The absolute minimum requirement for someone occupying such as role should be an understanding of science and respect for scientific evidence and expertise. Yet, Kennedy fails spectacularly in this regard.

Here are just some of the false claims he has made over the years:

None of these positions has even the smallest amount of scientific support.

It’s hard to predict what Kennedy will do as health secretary, especially given his confirmation hearings[4] looked to be an exercise in being vague, evasive and denying or downplaying his prior controversial statements to secure support.

But there are three areas where his views are fairly clear and his appointment could be expected to have a significant impact. These are water fluoridation, infectious diseases research and vaccines.

Fluoridation of water

Kennedy has been a long-term opponent of water fluoridation, despite its proven benefits in preventing tooth decay[5]. He has consistently questioned its safety and claimed it’s linked to a range of illnesses[6] such as arthritis, bone cancer, IQ loss and neurodevelopmental disorders.

While a recent review suggested a link between water fluoridation and lower IQ in children[7], the levels of fluoride in the water in countries included in this review were generally several times higher[8] than the levels in public water fluoridation programs in countries such as the US and Australia. There were also other limitations that make interpreting these findings challenging.

The CDC has identified community water fluoridation as as one of the ten great public health achievements of the 20th century[9]. And it continues to benefit dental health today, without any convincing evidence of possible harms.

Nonetheless, it seems likely that in keeping with his longstanding views one of Kennedy’s first priorities will be to try to halt water fluoridation in the US.

Infectious diseases

Alongside his confirmation as health secretary, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order[10] establishing “The President’s Commission to Make America Healthy Again”, with Kennedy as the chair.

The Make America Healthy Again[11] movement (MAHA) is an initiative driven by Kennedy focusing on improving nutrition, increasing transparency in medical practices and reducing the corporate influence in health.

Though premised primarily on combating chronic diseases, the movement also embraces scepticism of established medical practices, unproven alternative therapies and a general mistrust of institutions.

What’s more, Kennedy’s focus on chronic diseases seems to be coming at the expense of continued work on infectious diseases.

He has proposed directing the National Institutes of Health to pause infectious disease research[12] for eight years to prioritise research into chronic diseases and alternative treatments.

As health secretary, Kennedy has the power to shift research priorities. If he were to effectively halt infectious diseases research – in the wake of COVID and with a looming threat[13] of future pandemics – this would be catastrophic for the US and global health.

Vaccine scepticism

Related to infectious diseases, there’s little doubt the area in which Kennedy has done the most damage relates to vaccines.

He has dedicated a large part of his life to undermining public confidence[14] in vaccines. This is despite overwhelming scientific evidence demonstrating their safety and effectiveness, and the millions of lives[15] they’ve saved.

Although he has subsequently denied it, Kennedy is on record[16] as falsely stating there is no such thing as a safe and effective vaccine. Notably, he has continued to push the debunked claim[17] that the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is linked to autism, despite the single study finding this having been widely discredited.

Kennedy’s frequent assertion that he’s not anti-vaccine, but “pro-safety[18]”, is also deeply disingenuous. Being “pro-safety” is a deliberately vague notion designed to appear reasonable while at the same time undermining the scientific evidence.

The impact of Kennedy’s appointment as health secretary on vaccine confidence will not just be limited to the US. Vaccine hesitancy has been recognised as one of the greatest threats to public health[19]. Having a vaccine sceptic leading the US health agencies has the potential to harm vaccine uptake worldwide.

As we’ve seen during the COVID pandemic, producing a vaccine is only half the battle. Convincing people to take it is just as important. There’s no doubt Kennedy’s influence on public health messaging could further erode vaccine confidence at a time when vaccine messaging must be clear.

It’s bad news for the US and the world

One of the reasons Kennedy poses such a threat to public health in the US and globally is his lack of trust in science. He believes a narrative can be crafted by picking and choosing any study that fits with his world view, regardless of its quality.

In addition, he personifies the bad-faith tactics of conspiracy theorists globally, “selling” the flawed premise that any assertion is valid until others prove it false.

What the world needs now is a safe pair of hands leading public health in the US. Someone who is guided by evidence – not someone who promotes anti-science propaganda and conspiracy theories.

References

  1. ^ was confirmed (www.abc.net.au)
  2. ^ overseeing federal health agencies (www.pbs.org)
  3. ^ US$1.8 trillion (www.science.org)
  4. ^ confirmation hearings (edition.cnn.com)
  5. ^ preventing tooth decay (theconversation.com)
  6. ^ range of illnesses (edition.cnn.com)
  7. ^ lower IQ in children (jamanetwork.com)
  8. ^ generally several times higher (theconversation.com)
  9. ^ 20th century (journals.sagepub.com)
  10. ^ signed an executive order (www.statnews.com)
  11. ^ Make America Healthy Again (www.cbsnews.com)
  12. ^ to pause infectious disease research (www.insidehighered.com)
  13. ^ a looming threat (theconversation.com)
  14. ^ undermining public confidence (apnews.com)
  15. ^ millions of lives (theconversation.com)
  16. ^ on record (www.factcheck.org)
  17. ^ the debunked claim (www.theguardian.com)
  18. ^ pro-safety (www.sbs.com.au)
  19. ^ greatest threats to public health (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/in-robert-f-kennedy-jr-the-us-has-put-a-conspiracy-theorist-in-charge-of-public-health-249601

The Times Features

5 Reasons Your Finances Deserve a Summer Refresh

Most of you are ready to change your clothing, tidy the lawn, and schedule a well-earned vacation as the days become longer and the temps climb. Summer, meanwhile, is also the id...

Optimal Locations for Smoke Alarms in Australian Homes

Smoke alarms play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of homes across Australia. They are essential in alerting occupants at the earliest signs of a fire, allowing enough time ...

10 Smart Ways Australians Can Slash Their Electricity Bills in 2025

Electricity prices in Australia continue to rise, but that does not mean you have to sacrifice your lifestyle to save money. By making a few smart changes, you can lower your pow...

Trusted Healthcare Construction Company for Modern Facilities

Achieving quality, safety, and innovative medical facilities is challenging in an ever-changing healthcare world without collaboration with a trusted healthcare construction comp...

How to Treat Hair Loss Without a Hair Transplant

Understanding Hair Loss Hair loss can significantly affect individuals, both physically and emotionally. Identifying the causes and types can help address the issue more effecti...

How to Find a Trustworthy Professional for Your Plumbing Needs

Nowra is an idyllic locality often referred to as the city of the Shoalhaven City Council in the South Coast region of New South Wales, Australia. This picturesque suburb feature...

Times Magazine

The Essential Guide to Transforming Office Spaces for Maximum Efficiency

Why Office Fitouts MatterA well-designed office can make all the difference in productivity, employee satisfaction, and client impressions. Businesses of all sizes are investing in updated office spaces to create environments that foster collaborat...

The A/B Testing Revolution: How AI Optimized Landing Pages Without Human Input

A/B testing was always integral to the web-based marketing world. Was there a button that converted better? Marketing could pit one against the other and see which option worked better. This was always through human observation, and over time, as d...

Using Countdown Timers in Email: Do They Really Increase Conversions?

In a world that's always on, where marketers are attempting to entice a subscriber and get them to convert on the same screen with one email, the power of urgency is sometimes the essential element needed. One of the most popular ways to create urg...

Types of Software Consultants

In today's technology-driven world, businesses often seek the expertise of software consultants to navigate complex software needs. There are several types of software consultants, including solution architects, project managers, and user experienc...

CWU Assistive Tech Hub is Changing Lives: Win a Free Rollator Walker This Easter!

🌟 Mobility. Independence. Community. All in One. This Easter, the CWU Assistive Tech Hub is pleased to support the Banyule community by giving away a rollator walker. The giveaway will take place during the Macleod Village Easter Egg Hunt & Ma...

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

LayBy Shopping