RFK Jr.’s Appointment to Health Post Risks Breaking Medicine’s First Rule

[Social Media]

 

The foundational principle of medicine, "First, do no harm," appears at odds with the idea of placing Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in charge of the Department of Health and Human Services. While there’s an argument that his advocacy for healthier lifestyles could be beneficial, his controversial views on health issues suggest more harm than good may result.  

 

In May 2023, during his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, Kennedy sat down to discuss his platform. He showcased his independence, criticizing President Biden’s policies and lamenting the Democratic Party's shift after Donald Trump's 2016 election. While these perspectives earned respect for their political insight, they had little connection to his views on public health, which seemed unmoored from scientific consensus.  

 

Kennedy’s health-related theories are a tangle of questionable claims, from blaming “neocons” for America’s problems to suggesting that “pesticides, cellphones, ultrasound” contribute to conditions like Tourette syndrome and peanut allergies. He also posited that the country’s chronic health issues can be traced to a single year in the 1980s when several “bad things” supposedly converged. Such assertions, while appealing to conspiracy theorists on social media, fail to resonate with evidence-based reasoning.  

 

Despite his ability to critique issues like the dysfunctional relationship between federal agencies and Big Pharma, Kennedy’s solutions seem impractical. While the pharmaceutical industry has its flaws, it also plays a critical role in innovation and employment. A radical overhaul of the industry, as Kennedy has suggested, could lead to unintended consequences, including economic disruption and a potential decline in access to life-saving medications.  

 

Kennedy’s positions also clash with Donald Trump’s priorities. His opposition to fracking, pesticides, and fertilizers undermines Trump’s commitment to supporting farmers and the energy sector. Such contradictions raise questions about how Kennedy could fit into a broader agenda focused on economic growth and stability.  

 

The Department of Health and Human Services oversees over 100 programs and employs more than 83,000 people. Effective leadership in this role demands stability and pragmatic decision-making, not the divisive rhetoric or prolonged disruptions that might follow Kennedy’s appointment. The Senate, where Republicans have a slim margin, is unlikely to confirm such a polarizing figure without a fight, further complicating the situation.  

 

Trump’s campaign hinges on addressing pressing issues like the economy, border security, and global instability. Diverting resources and attention to defend or manage Kennedy’s controversial positions risks derailing those priorities. The suggestion that a “worm” impacted Kennedy’s cognitive judgment might be hyperbole, but it underscores the broader concern: Kennedy’s appointment could introduce chaos where clarity and competence are paramount.  

 

He told us with full conviction that all America’s chronic health problems began in one year in the 1980s when a dozen bad things happened. 

Convincing to the gullible conspiracy-hungry crowd on Twitter, but not to the rest of us.  In fact, we came out thinking he’s nuts on a lot of fronts.

 

In this light, entrusting Kennedy with the nation’s health infrastructure not only risks breaking the first rule of medicine but could also undermine broader efforts to address the critical challenges facing the country.

 

Based on a report by NYP 2024-11-20