RFK Jr. 's Year at HHS: A Rocky Road for American Health

A year ago, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took the helm of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), promising transparency and support for science. However, his tenure has been anything but smooth. Kennedy, known for his environmental law background and vaccine skepticism, made bold claims during his confirmation hearing. He pledged to uphold vaccines, support science journalism, and avoid firing employees. But his actions have told a different story. Under Kennedy's leadership, HHS has seen significant changes. The childhood vaccine program has been scaled back, with recommended shots now protecting against 11 diseases instead of 17. Thousands of public servants, many of them scientists, have lost their jobs. Standard scientific practices at agencies like the CDC, FDA, and NIH have been replaced with what scientists call "dishonest" dictates. Courts have even blocked some of Kennedy's funding cuts, deeming them illegal. Kennedy's "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) agenda has become a key part of the Trump administration's "Make America Great Again" movement. This agenda combines a distrust of science with skepticism toward medicine and the food industry. While some of MAHA's goals, like improving life expectancies and childhood health, align with public health experts, others have raised concerns. Experts warn that Kennedy's decisions on vaccines could lead to outbreaks of preventable diseases like measles. Despite the turmoil, HHS continues to function in many ways. Social Security checks still go out, Medicaid covers millions, and the Affordable Care Act remains in place. However, the agency has also seen layoffs and funding cuts, creating instability. Kennedy's actions, such as firing his own CDC chief and linking Tylenol to autism with little evidence, have drawn criticism. An HHS spokesperson defended the cuts, calling them necessary to reduce "bloated bureaucracies. "Kennedy's history of vaccine opposition has been a significant focus of his tenure. He has removed COVID vaccines from recommendations for healthy pregnant adults and children, fired vaccine experts, and cut funding for mRNA vaccine research. His reconstituted vaccine panel has even voted to stop recommending hepatitis B vaccinations for newborns. These moves have sparked outrage among health experts, who see them as reckless and harmful. Beyond vaccines, Kennedy has embraced wellness industry ideas, such as focusing on mitochondrial challenges and promoting "real food. " His rhetoric aligns with influencers like Casey Means, who argues that chronic diseases stem from poor lifestyle choices. However, many of these ideas lack strong scientific backing. Kennedy's calls to end genetic research on autism and his claims about Tylenol causing autism have also been met with skepticism. Politically, Kennedy has aligned himself with Trump, endorsing him at a campaign rally. His tenure at HHS reflects the broader political landscape, where science and health policies are increasingly influenced by political agendas. While Kennedy has his own goals, he operates within the constraints of the Trump administration. His focus on restricting gender-affirming care, for example, seems more politically motivated than rooted in his previous advocacy. Overall, Kennedy's year at HHS has been marked by controversy and upheaval. His firing of scientific leaders and replacement of expertise with political activism have raised serious concerns about the future of American health policy. The politicization of science and health may have long-lasting effects, making it difficult to return to evidence-based decision-making.