On January 20th, almost directly after Trump’s inauguration, he signed an executive order to withdraw from the World Health Organization. According to their website, the World Health Organization’s goal is, “ Dedicated to the well-being of all people and guided by science, the World Health Organization leads and champions global efforts to give everyone, everywhere an equal chance to live a healthy life.” The World Health Organization has made its impact on public health in America, most recently, making strides to protect and defend US citizens from the COVID-19 pandemic. Without the World Health Organization’s support, American public health relies on one man: Robert Kennedy Jr.
Robert Kennedy Jr., also known as RFK Jr, was sworn in as Health and Human Services Secretary under Donald Trump. As we look toward the future of American public health, we should focus on the past. More specifically, past comments that RFK has made regarding public health issues.
Let’s first talk about his opinions on vaccinations. RFK Jr. has repeatedly affirmed his skeptical opinion of vaccinations. He does not believe that vaccines are a substantial form of medicine, in fact, he believes the opposite. RFK Jr. believes that vaccines can cause autism. He does not believe that children should be vaccinated, as that could lead to a higher chance of them developing autism later in their lives. This is a controversial topic in the medical community, but through intense research by various doctors and scientists, this claim has been refuted. Autism is a genetic condition and the Secretary of Health and Human Services denying this fact can spread false information and create even more of a stigma around autism.
Robert Kennedy Jr. has made claims based on the COVID-19 virus that are not only untrue but harmful. RFK Jr. said that China genetically engineered the COVID-19 virus to attack Caucasian and Black communities in America. He claims that the Chinese population in America is predisposed to an immunity to COVID. I am sure everyone can remember the amount of hate that Asian communities faced during early quarantine. Acts of racially motivated violence were enacted upon the communities as they were blamed for COVID. The false claim that COVID is dependent on race by a top-ranking government official has the potential to restart prejudice and discrimination against Asian communities.
Perhaps the most concerning piece of information regarding RFK Jr. is his tendency to flip around his opinion based on whomever he is catering to. Kennedy came out as Pro-choice around the time Roe v Wade was overturned. He stated that medication to terminate pregnancy should be available unrestricted to women in America. However, now that he is in Trump’s cabinet, he has a vastly different opinion. He has claimed that “every abortion is a tragedy” and that he would wholeheartedly support a Trump abortion ban if he decides to pass one. How can we expect good healthcare in America if the man in charge of our health switches his opinion on a dime?
As we enter a new healthcare era, we must be mindful about who we trust when it comes to our health. 
