1. United States
2. N.C.
3. Letter

I am extremely concerned about President Trump's nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. RFK Jr. has embraced numerous baseless conspiracy theories and unscientific views, particularly regarding vaccines and autism. He has falsely claimed that vaccines are linked to autism in children, that HIV is not the cause of AIDS, and that antidepressants contribute to school shootings - all ideas that are completely unfounded and rejected by the medical consensus. Appointing someone who denies basic scientific facts and opposes life-saving vaccines to head the agency overseeing public health is a dangerous move that will undermine confidence in vital health programs and policies. RFK Jr.'s fringe anti-vaccine stance has already sent shockwaves through the pharmaceutical industry, with shares of major drug companies like Moderna, AstraZeneca and GSK tumbling on fears of how he may seek to restrict vaccines and medicines. Someone who spreads misinformation that can seriously endanger public health has no place leading the HHS. I urge you to speak out against this nomination and demand the President appoint a qualified, pro-science professional committed to promoting evidence-based policies to protect the health and wellbeing of all Americans. Giving a platform to conspiracy theorists and science deniers is unacceptable for such a critical position.