President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has raised alarms among public health professionals. Kennedy, a prominent vaccine skeptic and advocate of controversial health theories, is facing criticism from experts who warn that his appointment could undermine public trust in science and harm health initiatives in the U.S.
Lawrence Gostin, director of the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University, expressed strong opposition to the nomination, calling Kennedy “unqualified” for the role. “The head of HHS must be committed to science and evidence-based public health,” said Gostin. “Kennedy has spent his career promoting misinformation and eroding trust in vital public health measures.” Kennedy has been a vocal critic of vaccines, falsely linking them to autism—a claim discredited by years of scientific research. He has also spread misinformation about fluoride in drinking water and criticized the FDA’s warnings about the dangers of raw milk, despite the agency’s guidance on health risks associated with it.
Kennedy, who ran as an independent candidate before endorsing Trump in the 2024 election, has outlined a health agenda focused on reversing chronic disease epidemics and addressing environmental toxins. However, his controversial views on vaccines and infectious diseases have raised concerns among health professionals. Critics fear that his leadership could lead to policies that undermine vaccination efforts and hinder public health initiatives.
Despite the concerns, some experts acknowledge Kennedy’s focus on food and nutrition reform. On his campaign website, he has promised to tackle the prevalence of ultra-processed foods and ban harmful additives that are still permitted in U.S. products but banned in other countries. Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist at Tufts University, expressed cautious optimism about Kennedy’s stance on nutrition. “His approach could potentially bring much-needed changes to address the national nutrition crisis,” Mozaffarian said.
However, concerns remain about Kennedy’s influence over key health agencies such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Gostin warned that while Kennedy could not directly ban vaccines, his influence could contribute to a spread of misinformation, potentially leading to decreased vaccine uptake and an increase in preventable diseases.
Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine expert at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, compared Kennedy’s potential appointment to placing someone who denies gravity in charge of NASA, highlighting the dangers of appointing someone with a track record of questioning fundamental scientific principles. Public health experts like Katelyn Jetelina, founder of Your Local Epidemiologist, also raised concerns about Kennedy’s approach to infectious diseases, questioning how he would address ongoing health crises like the bird flu outbreak.
As Kennedy’s nomination moves through the Senate confirmation process, many public health professionals remain deeply concerned about the potential ramifications for science-based policy and public trust in health agencies.