President Donald Trump addressed the nation on February 13, 2025, during the swearing-in of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the head of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), stating that the public health system had lost the trust of American citizens. Trump asserted that Kennedy would spearhead significant reforms aimed at restoring faith in the country’s healthcare system. However, a year into Kennedy’s leadership, polling data reveals that public trust in federal health agencies has significantly declined.
According to the health policy research group KFF, trust in the CDC fell from 59% to 47%, with all political affiliations seeing a drop in confidence. Experts express concerns that the current leadership at HHS poses a risk to public health initiatives, particularly in combatting vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles. Dr. Jason Schwartz from Yale School of Public Health stated that the federal agencies currently represent a significant threat to vaccination efforts, a stark contrast to previous expectations.
Kennedy’s approach has included a substantial reorganization of HHS, which he claims aims to enhance transparency and accountability. In June, he dismissed all members of the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel, and subsequent days saw a purge of thousands of employees across various health agencies. This restructuring involved cuts amounting to a quarter of the agency’s staff, leaving many experts concerned about the loss of critical knowledge and expertise.
Tragic developments arose shortly after Kennedy’s appointment, including a measles outbreak that resulted in the first US measles-related death in a decade. The realization of multiple deaths and increasing outbreaks within the following year called into question the effectiveness of Kennedy’s public health policies, as experts warned of worsening public health crises.
Federal health agencies faced an exodus of senior leaders, further destabilizing the organization during a time of increasing public concern over vaccine safety and disease outbreaks. Kennedy’s nomination choices have raised eyebrows, evidenced by the withdrawal of Dr. David Weldon and the subsequent resignation of Dr. Susan Monarez after a clash over vaccine policy.
A mass shooting incident at CDC headquarters in August by an individual voicing frustrations about COVID-19 vaccines underscored the growing tension surrounding public health communication and trust. In a response to this turmoil, HHS employees issued a letter urging Kennedy to stop disseminating inaccurate health information.
Meanwhile, Kennedy’s approval ratings have declined, with only 37% of Americans trusting him as a credible health information source, trailing behind Trump, who scored 30%. This decline came as HHS announced drastic changes to the childhood vaccine schedule, a move that alarmed public health officials and faced criticism for potentially endangering children’s health.
While some supporters tout Kennedy’s initiatives as transformative, such as new dietary guidelines and increased transparency, others remain skeptical. Experts criticize the apparent abandonment of scientific rigor that historically warranted public health recommendations. Notable figures like Dr. Michael Osterholm raised alarms over the potential health repercussions stemming from declining vaccination rates, directly relating them to the disinformation being spread.
As the midterm elections approach, the White House seems to be focusing on issues such as drug pricing and nutrition policy, which although popular, cannot overshadow the critical harm done to public health credibility under Kennedy’s leadership.
Despite some advocacy for Kennedy’s recent accomplishments in food policy reform and nutrition awareness, the underlying concerns about his approach to vaccine policy and public health messaging remain. Experts argue that regaining the public’s trust is vital for the success of health initiatives, and the current trajectory does not inspire confidence. The challenge ahead involves balancing political objectives with effective public health strategy to restore faith in America’s health systems.