Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has officially taken the reins as head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. His mission? "Make America Healthy Again."
"The future of public health is about to change forever," Kennedy’s team said in an announcement. "This is a turning point for our nation."
On the same day, President Donald Trump signed an executive order creating the Make America Healthy Again Commission, led by Kennedy. This move has set the stage for major changes in public health policy.
Kennedy’s first priority? Reforming food policy. Florida neurosurgeon Dr. Brett Osborn calls food the "root cause of chronic disease."
"Kennedy understands that fixing the food system is a priority," Osborn said. "Americans can expect policies that push real, whole foods and make nutrition central to healthcare."
"If people stopped eating ultra-processed junk, we wouldn’t need drugs like Ozempic," Osborn added. "A leaner body is always a healthier body."
Dr. Dino Prato, an Arizona oncologist, agrees. He emphasized Kennedy’s focus on food quality and safety. "Kennedy’s policies could update dietary guidelines, limit junk food marketing to kids, and promote sustainable food systems," Prato said.
Kennedy’s efforts will likely expand access to healthcare as well. Prato noted that the MAHA Commission plans to focus on lifestyle changes and disease prevention. "Kennedy supports value-based care, which will improve access for underserved communities," Prato said.
Integrative medicine is also expected to be part of Kennedy’s approach. "His personal experience with alternative therapies could expand access to treatments beyond just pharmaceuticals," Prato predicted.
Kennedy also has his sights on holding pharmaceutical companies accountable. Dr. Prato says this will lead to more safety measures for patients.
"This increased scrutiny may push companies to conduct more transparent clinical trials," he said. TV personality Emily Austin agrees, pointing out that people are too dependent on medications that profit corporations.
"Kennedy intends to expose conflicts of interest and bring transparency to drug pricing," Osborn added. "Expect reforms in clinical trial practices and less direct-to-consumer drug advertising."
Another focus of Kennedy’s agenda is restoring medical freedoms. "Kennedy is not anti-vaccine," Osborn explained. "He’s pro-transparency and believes in informed consent."
"Americans should be able to ask questions without being silenced or ridiculed," he said. "The goal is not to abolish vaccines but to restore trust in public health systems."
Kennedy is also a strong advocate for exercise. His own workout videos often go viral on social media. "Physical inactivity is a huge predictor of chronic disease," Osborn said. "RFK will promote movement as medicine."
Personal accountability will be a key theme in Kennedy’s leadership. "Our system profits from managing disease, not preventing it," Osborn stated. "Kennedy is changing that by focusing on personal responsibility."
"Kennedy’s message is simple: Your health is your responsibility," Osborn said. "The government won’t fix it. Big pharma won’t fix it. It’s on you."
Kennedy’s leadership is expected to bring lasting change, focusing on prevention and patient empowerment. "This is just the beginning," his team said.