Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Health and Human Services Secretary-designate, is known for his international efforts to challenge established public health initiatives. His skepticism about vaccines and involvement in conspiracy theories have extended beyond the United States, impacting global health policies related to vaccination and AIDS prevention. Kennedy's nonprofit, Children’s Health Defense, has established overseas chapters that disseminate misinformation and skepticism about vaccines, interfering with public health efforts in countries like Uganda and South Africa, especially in initiatives like sex education campaigns aimed at combating the spread of AIDS in Africa.
Kennedy's influence has also been directed towards questioning the efficacy of programs by the World Health Organization (WHO) and promoting conspiracy theories about global health initiatives. Notably, in Samoa, a measles outbreak followed his visit in 2019, where doubts about vaccine safety were heightened, leading to a decline in vaccination rates and a public health crisis resulting in 83 deaths, primarily children. In Europe, Children’s Health Defense Europe, an affiliate of his organization, has organized conferences promoting vaccine skepticism and opposing COVID-19 health measures, such as the protest in Berlin in 2022, which drew thousands rallying against pandemic restrictions. The organization's ties to fringe groups, including far-right political activists and lawmakers, have raised concerns as they promote theories linking vaccines to conspiracies involving figures like Bill Gates and global pharmaceutical companies. Effects of his organization's efforts have been tangible, as seen in South Africa with a significant decline in vaccine trust due to misinformation spread by his network, contributing to a 30% drop in vaccination confidence.
As Kennedy is poised to lead the Health and Human Services department, concerns have been raised about his track record of promoting unproven remedies and opposing established public health policies, raising serious questions about his potential impact on both U.S. and global health policy.