Donald Trump aims to reshape public health policy by potentially appointing Robert F Kennedy Jr as Health Secretary, echoing the controversial practices of Florida’s surgeon general, Dr. Joseph Ladapo.
Dr. Ladapo has faced backlash for advising against conventional public health guidelines, including vaccination during disease outbreaks, which mirrors some of Kennedy's polarizing beliefs.
Experts fear that if Kennedy is confirmed, his extreme views could threaten national public health strategies similar to those in Florida, where vaccine skepticism has surged.
Statistics show a decline in vaccination rates in Florida under Ladapo, raising concerns about potential outbreaks of preventable diseases if anti-vaccination sentiment spreads nationally.
Some voices argue that Kennedy's influence is limited at the national level, suggesting state decisions will continue to play a significant role in local health policies.