1. United States
2. Utah
3. Letter

The selection of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the Secretary of Health and Human Services raises significant concerns among public health experts due to his history of promoting dangerous misinformation and pseudoscience. Kennedy has repeatedly denied the safety and efficacy of vaccines, falsely linking them to autism despite overwhelming scientific evidence disproving this claim. As the head of HHS, he could undermine public trust in vaccines and endanger efforts to combat vaccine-preventable diseases. Kennedy also holds fringe views on issues like water fluoridation and raw milk, dismissing evidence-based safety guidelines. His stated priorities, such as reversing chronic disease epidemics and addressing food additives, are laudable goals. However, his record of rejecting mainstream scientific consensus raises doubts about his ability to effectively address these challenges through evidence-based policymaking. Public health agencies under HHS, including the CDC and FDA, rely on rigorous scientific processes to protect public health and safety. Appointing someone with a history of promoting pseudoscience to lead these institutions risks eroding their credibility and hampering their ability to fulfill their crucial mandates. Protecting public health requires policies grounded in solid scientific evidence, not fringe ideologies that contradict established facts. For these reasons, it is imperative to reconsider this nomination and appoint a qualified, science-based leader committed to advancing public health through evidence-based policies and practices. The well-being of all Americans depends on maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of our public health institutions.