A surge of anti-science bills has emerged in state legislatures across the U.S., driven largely by groups linked to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. An Associated Press investigation revealed over 420 bills targeting established public health protections, notably vaccines, milk safety, and water fluoridation; more than two dozen have already been enacted. This organized effort reflects a broader acceptance of anti-vaccine sentiments, which Kennedy has publicly supported.
The investigation highlighted that at least 350 anti-vaccine bills were proposed, with a significant number being ratified in multiple states. Many of these measures seek to restrict fluoride use or ease access to raw milk, often framed as promoting personal freedom. Groups associated with Kennedy, like MAHA Action and the National Vaccine Information Center, orchestrate campaigns to influence lawmakers, underscoring the growing political sophistication of the anti-vaccine movement.
Despite their claims of being science-based, many experts contradict their assertions. Activists often profit from such legislative changes, as seen with raw milk proponents and those benefitting financially from fostering anti-science policies. This rising sentiment poses risks to public health, exemplified by declining vaccination rates and a resurgence of preventable diseases. The tragic case of an Indiana family losing their son to a vaccine-preventable disease underscores the human cost of this movement. The AP investigation shines a light on a troubling trend affecting community health across the nation.
