US President-elect Donald Trump has announced that Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the environmental activist who spread misinformation about vaccines, has been chosen to lead America's top health agency, the Department of Health and Human Services.
Kennedy has been criticized for making false medical claims, including that vaccines are linked to autism. He opposed state and federal restrictions imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic and spread misinformation about the virus. He took issue with the anti-vaccine tag, instead calling for more rigorous testing of vaccines. However, he chaired Children's Health Defense, a non-profit organization focused on anti-vaccine messaging. Kennedy had previously expressed doubts about the effectiveness of measles vaccines.
Kennedy stand as an independent in this year's election, was ousted in August and endorsed Trump in exchange for a role in the Republican administration. Trump said in a social media post that he was thrilled with the appointment and that his former rival would make America great and healthy again.
"The safety and health of all Americans is the most important role of any administration, and HHS will play a big role in helping to ensure that everyone is protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives. This country's health crisis is overwhelming," Trump added.
The Department of Health and Human Services oversees the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, disability care, the National Institutes of Health, and the vast Medicare and Medicaid service programs that provide health care to poor people age 65 and older. .
In posts on social media platform X and in interviews in recent weeks, Kennedy has indicated his priorities include addressing what he calls the "chronic disease epidemic" of conditions including obesity, diabetes and autism, as well as reducing chemicals in food.
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