Snapshot of RFK Jr.'s plan for changing the U.S. food and drug system

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent anti-vaccine activist, was selected by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, the United States' top health agency.

In a social media post, Kennedy vowed to work to end chronic disease, clean up corruption and provide Americans with the data they need to make informed decisions, vowing to Trump that he would work to "Make America Healthy Again."

Kennedy ran for president in this year's election as an independent before dropping out in August and endorsing Trump in exchange for a role in the Republican administration.

The following are some of the main policy positions RFK Jr. has taken in recent months in editorials, tweets and interviews, according to Reuters.

Vaccines

Kennedy has criticized vaccines, including making false medical claims that vaccines are linked to autism. He opposed state and federal COVID-19 restrictions. However, he rejects the idea that he is "anti-vaccine" and told Reuters every American who wants a vaccine for themselves or their children will have access to it.

Processed foods

Kennedy calls for banning hundreds of food additives and chemicals, such as food dyes. He has called for getting ultra-processed foods out of school lunches as part of a goal to reduce the incidence of diet-related chronic diseases.

Nutrition guidelines

He said the nutrition department at the Food and Drug Administration, which is in charge of nutrition labels on food, has "to go. They're not doing their job. They're not protecting our kids."

Weight loss drugs

Kennedy has criticized the popular Novo Nordisk NOVOb.CO drug Ozempic, which is often prescribed for weight loss, saying it focused on symptoms of the obesity crisis rather than fixing the food system, and that the drugs "gladden the wallets" of pharmaceutical executives.

Drug Research

Kennedy has said half of the research budgets from the National Institutes of Health should be directed toward preventive, alternative and holistic approaches to health. He's also said he wants to fire 600 employees at the NIH.

Raw Milk

Kennedy wants to end the "FDA's war on public health," including what he called "aggressive suppression" of psychedelics, peptides, stem cells, raw milk, and more.

He has advocated for holistic health practices, like drinking raw milk, a practice that has been associated with outbreaks of illnesses.

Fluoride

He has called for removing fluoride from public water.

The day after Trump's victory, Kennedy told MSNBC in an interview that "fluoride will disappear." He also repeated the false claim that fluoride "lowers IQ in our children."

Medical schools

He has said classes in nutrition at federally funded medical schools should be required.

Farms

He has called for revisiting pesticide and other chemical-use standards, as well as reforming crop subsidies.

The Department of Health and Human Services oversees drug regulation, public health agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and health insurance for more than 140 million people, including the poor, those aged 65 and older, and the disabled through Medicare and Medicaid.

HHS had a $3.09 trillion budget for fiscal year 2024, representing 22.8% of the U.S. federal budget.

Reuters contributed to the reporting of this story.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What changes does RFK Jr. want to make to the US health system?