The article critiques the impact of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., appointed as US Secretary for Health and Human Services, on public health. Throughout the year, concerns have grown as Kennedy spread misinformation about vaccines, including claims linking childhood vaccines to autism and stating that the measles vaccine is unsafe. His decisions, such as canceling significant funding for mRNA vaccine research and dismantling expert committees, have raised alarms among health professionals, who accuse him of endangering public health and sowing distrust in agencies like the CDC.
Kennedy’s dangerous rhetoric and promotion of conspiracy theories have prompted calls for politicians to confront these myths and reinforce the importance of science and immunization in public health. The article also reflects on the lack of decisive leadership from Ireland’s Taoiseach, suggesting that his inability to challenge harmful narratives contributes to a broader trend of anti-science sentiment that is spreading internationally. The author concludes by urging for more assertive health leadership and wishes readers a healthy upcoming year.
