The nomination sent shockwaves through the public health community.
Many experts raised alarm about Kennedys history of promoting pseudoscientific health claims and anti-vaccine rhetoric.
Preserve your records, and 2.
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Here are some of his policy stances.
Kennedy has long been a vocal vaccine skeptic.
He founded the nonprofit Childrens Health Defense (CHD), one of the largest sources of anti-vaccine misinformation.
Kennedy has since tried to soften his anti-vaccine rhetoric.
On the day after the election, he said in aninterview with NBC News: Ive never been anti-vaccine.
Hes arguedagainst consuming seed oilsdespitelittle evidencethat those oils are toxic.
Nominating an anti-vaxxer like Kennedy to HHS is like putting a Flat Earther at the head of NASA.
Fluoride is a mineral that occurs naturally in drinking water at low levels.
Water systems typically add fluoride at levels below what the report considers to be harmful for childrens neurodevelopment.
However, some experts say there may be detrimental effects at even lower levels of exposure.
The ruling didnt specify which actions the EPA should take, and the agency is reviewing the ruling.
As secretary of the HHS, Kennedy would have some control over the staffing and structure of those organizations.
Its the civil servants and the expertise of these agencies that are the guardrails.
Reducing that workforce takes away some of that guardrail, she added.
During the first Trump administration, there were207 attackson science, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists.
Those included censorship, falsified records, and intimidation of scientists.
What This Means For You
Kennedy hasnt yet been confirmed as HHS Secretary.
The Senate will approve or reject Cabinet nominees in the coming months.
doi:10.1136/bmj-2023-077310
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ten great public health achievementsUnited States, 19001999.
American Dental Association.Fluoridation facts.
