RFK Jr. Is a Danger to Public Health—Congress Must Act

I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the recent confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Mr. Kennedy has a well-documented history of promoting vaccine misinformation, which poses a significant threat to public health. His leadership could undermine decades of progress in disease prevention and erode public trust in our health institutions. Throughout his career, Mr. Kennedy has propagated unfounded claims linking vaccines to autism, despite extensive scientific evidence debunking such associations. His organization, Children’s Health Defense, has been a prominent source of vaccine misinformation, contributing to vaccine hesitancy and the resurgence of preventable diseases. Moreover, during his confirmation hearings, Mr. Kennedy suggested that antidepressants are more addictive than heroin, a statement that contradicts established medical research and could deter individuals from seeking necessary mental health treatment. Given these factors, I urge you to take immediate action to reassess Mr. Kennedy’s suitability for this critical role. It is imperative that the leadership of HHS is grounded in scientific integrity and committed to advancing public health without the influence of misinformation.