Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Shifts Focus to America's Chronic Disease Problem After Presidential Bid

RFK Jr.'s New Mission: Make America Healthy Again

Following the conclusion of his bid for the White House, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has turned his attention to his initiative, Make America Healthy Again. This initiative aims to address what he describes as a chronic disease epidemic in the United States. Kennedy suspended his independent presidential campaign on August 23 and endorsed former President Donald Trump, the GOP nominee. Trump has made a commitment to appoint Kennedy to a health-related role should he secure a second term.

Kennedy's Difficult Decision

In a September interview with The Epoch Times, Kennedy revealed that the decision to end his presidential campaign was challenging, but a "necessary step" towards achieving his mission. "I prayed to God every day for the past 19 years that America’s health crisis would be solved for the next generation," he said. "That is a major reason why I ran for president.”

Kennedy's Campaign Platform

Kennedy's campaign platform was centered on combating the "corporate capture of government agencies" and ending the chronic disease epidemic. As an environmental lawyer and founder of Children's Health Defense, Kennedy believes that these two issues are interconnected. Kennedy argues that U.S. corporations have made America the sickest country in the world. He believes that significant changes will only occur once the corporate capture of government agencies is eliminated.

Healthcare Should be Measured by Patient Outcomes

Kennedy suggests that the state of healthcare should be evaluated based on patient outcomes, including chronic illness, childhood obesity, and life expectancy. He highlights that the United States lags behind other countries with smaller economies, such as Italy, in these areas. Kennedy criticizes the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare, for contributing to the nation’s healthcare crisis by increasing insurance premiums and causing healthcare to become the largest driver of inflation while American life expectancy decreases.

Kennedy's Critique of COVID-19 Management

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kennedy has openly criticized the way elected officials and public health leaders have handled the crisis. He points out that the United States had one of the worst COVID outcomes globally, with a high death rate.

Chronic Disease Epidemic Among American Children

Kennedy notes that two-thirds of U.S. adults suffer from chronic health issues, and 74 percent are overweight or obese. He sees the chronic disease epidemic among American children as a form of abuse and believes that diseases that once predominantly affected the elderly are now increasingly common among children.

Ultra-Processed Foods and the Health Crisis

Kennedy identifies ultra-processed foods as a primary factor in the health crisis impacting the young. He points out that these foods contain chemicals that didn't exist a century ago and are partly responsible for the rise in diseases in all ages.

Trump's Commitment to Investigate Chronic Disease in Children

At a rally in Glendale, Arizona, on August 23, Trump announced that if reelected, he would appoint Kennedy to a panel investigating the rise in chronic disease in children.

Speculation About Kennedy's Future Role

Speculation has surfaced that, if Trump wins, Kennedy might be appointed Secretary of Health and Human Services or the head of one of its sub-agencies. If given the opportunity, Kennedy has pledged to dismiss officials who lead those agencies and appoint replacements who will "turn them back into healing and public health agencies.”

Bottom Line

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s shift of focus from a presidential bid to tackling America's chronic disease problem is a testament to his commitment to public health. His initiative, Make America Healthy Again, aims to address the chronic disease epidemic and reform the food production system. However, his views on corporate influence on government agencies and the role of ultra-processed foods in health issues are contentious. What are your thoughts on Kennedy's mission and his critique of the current state of health in America? Share this article with your friends and engage in the conversation. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.