1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination as Secretary of Health and Human Services raises significant concerns in the public health community. While his advocacy for addressing issues like nutrition, obesity, and processed foods aligns with recognized public health challenges, his well-documented history of propagating misinformation and conspiracy theories about vaccines, autism, and other critical health topics is deeply troubling. The risks posed by Kennedy's anti-vaccine stance and apparent disregard for scientific evidence are substantial. As HHS Secretary, he would wield considerable influence over agencies like the FDA and CDC, potentially undermining trust in these institutions and hampering their ability to effectively promote public health initiatives like vaccination programs. His proposed reforms, such as imposing additional vaccine review processes, could delay the availability of life-saving vaccines during future pandemics or other emergencies. Furthermore, Kennedy's stated positions on issues like organic food and pesticides are misguided and unlikely to meaningfully address the complex factors contributing to America's poor health outcomes compared to other developed nations. Transforming public health requires evidence-based policies and careful, balanced reforms – not the perpetuation of falsehoods or the demonization of specific industries. Given the paramount importance of preserving public trust in scientific institutions and upholding robust, evidence-based policymaking, I urge you to block Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination as HHS Secretary. His confirmation would pose an unacceptable risk to public health and could undermine years of progress in critical areas like vaccination and disease prevention.