1. United States
2. Colo.
3. Letter

Donald Trump's nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services raises serious concerns due to Kennedy's long history of spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories about vaccine safety. As a prominent anti-vaccine activist, Kennedy has repeatedly made false claims about vaccines causing autism and other health issues, contradicting extensive scientific evidence demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. Having someone with these views in charge of overseeing public health policies and agencies like the FDA and CDC would be detrimental to efforts to protect Americans from preventable diseases. Kennedy has also proposed problematic measures like cutting fluoride from public water supplies and replacing NIH staff, which could undermine sound, evidence-based policymaking. For the well-being of all Americans, it is crucial that the next HHS Secretary is committed to upholding rigorous scientific standards and promoting proven public health measures, not engaging in the spread of misinformation that endangers lives. I urge opposition to this nomination and the selection of a qualified, mainstream candidate who will safeguard public health without an ideological agenda against established science.