Trump’s HHS pick RFK Jr. has a long history of challenging global health policy

Secretary-designate of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has a long history of working internationally to challenge public health policy.

Known for his outspoken skepticism about vaccines and conspiracy theories, Kennedy has expanded his influence beyond the United States to undermine global health initiatives, particularly in areas such as vaccination and AIDS prevention, the New York Times reports.

Kennedy’s nonprofit organization, Defense of children’s healthhas built a network of foreign associations that spread misinformation and promote vaccine skepticism. In countries such as Uganda and South Africa, his organization has compromised public health efforts, including sex education campaigns aimed at combating the spread of AIDS in Africa.

Kennedy and his allies have also targeted the World Health Organization (WHO), questioning the effectiveness of its programs and fueling conspiracy theories about global health initiatives, the New York Times added.

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One of his most notable international interventions took place in Samoa, where a tragic measles outbreak occurred following his visit in 2019. After a public health tragedy in which two infants died during routine vaccinations, Kennedy increased his doubts about the safety of the vaccine.

His visit along with local anti-vaxxers led to a significant drop in vaccination rates. Despite the outbreak, Kennedy continued to spread false claims about flawed vaccines, contributing to the public health crisis that led to 83 deaths, mostly children, The New York Times reports.

Kennedy has also played a prominent role in Europe, where his organization has hosted conferences promoting vaccine skepticism and opposition to health measures against COVID-19. In 2022, Children’s Health Defense Europe helped organize a protest in Berlin where thousands demonstrated against pandemic restrictions.

The organization’s ties to fringe groups, including far-right political activists and lawmakers, have raised concerns, particularly as it continues to promote theories linking vaccines to conspiracies between Bill Gates and global pharmaceutical companies.

His organization’s efforts have had a noticeable impact on vaccine trust, particularly in countries like South Africa, where misinformation spread through his network contributed to a 30% decline in vaccine trust.

As Kennedy prepares to take the helm of HHS, his track record of promoting unproven cures and rejecting established public health policies has raised serious concerns about his potential impact on U.S. and global health policy.

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