Documenting the public health impacts of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s actions and policies as HHS Secretary. Every statistic links to its primary source.
Direct Attribution: These outcomes are linked to RFK Jr.'s actions, statements, and policies. He minimized measles severity during outbreaks, promoted unproven treatments over vaccines, advocated for raw milk deregulation, cut global vaccine funding, and dismantled public health infrastructure. See the full timeline →
Unvaccinated school-aged child in Texas. First child measles death in the U.S. since 2003.
Kennedy connection: During outbreak, Kennedy minimized measles severity on Fox News, promoted vitamin A over vaccination.
Unvaccinated 8-year-old girl with no underlying health conditions.
Kennedy connection: Kennedy still refused to strongly encourage vaccination even after these deaths.
Unvaccinated adult tested positive after dying as outbreak spread beyond Texas.
Kennedy connection: Outbreak spread while Kennedy downplayed severity and promoted unproven treatments.
Infant died from listeria infection contracted when mother drank raw milk during pregnancy.
Kennedy connection: Kennedy has been a vocal raw milk advocate. MAHA report called for "removing barriers" to raw milk sales.
Elderly patient with underlying conditions; one of 70 total U.S. H5N1 cases.
Kennedy connection: Kennedy proposed letting bird flu spread through poultry rather than culling—experts called this "a terrible idea."
The worst measles outbreak in over 30 years. The U.S. lost its measles elimination status in January 2026 after holding it for 25 years.
Source: CDC Measles Cases and Outbreaks
93% of cases were in unvaccinated individuals
"The decision to vaccinate is a personal one." Emphasized vitamin A can "dramatically" reduce deaths.
MMR vaccine is 97% effective at prevention. Some Texas children suffered liver injury from vitamin A at Kennedy's suggestion. (APHA)
Claimed "the curve is flattening" in Texas outbreak.
Data did not support this claim. Cases continued rising to 505 in Texas, 847+ in South Carolina. (ABC News)
Before becoming HHS Secretary, Kennedy's anti-vaccine activism contributed to a deadly measles outbreak in Samoa.
"His presence in Samoa was significant for the anti-vaxxers to push their message through."
— Leilani Jackson, Samoan nurse who responded to the outbreak
Kennedy's policies have withdrawn billions in funding from global health programs, with projected catastrophic consequences.
A Lancet study found that USAID defunding could lead to over 14 million additional deaths by 2030, including 4.5 million children under 5.
The study analyzed 133 countries and found USAID funding prevented 91.8 million deaths between 2001-2021.
Read the full study in The Lancet →"Of all the global health programs that have been cut, this will likely mean more deaths than any other cut."
— Dr. Atul Gawande, former USAID global health chief
"This decision will have devastating consequences for children across the world."
— Doctors Without Borders
A chronological record of Kennedy's actions and their impacts.
Every statistic on this site is linked to a primary source. Download the data for your own research.
Here's how you can help protect public health.
Call or email your senators and representatives to express concern about public health policies.
Find Your Representatives →Help spread awareness by sharing these facts on social media.
Organizations working to protect public health:
"Hello, my name is [NAME] and I'm a constituent from [CITY/ZIP]. I'm calling to express my concern about the public health policies of HHS Secretary Kennedy. The U.S. has seen its first measles deaths in a decade and has lost its measles elimination status for the first time in 25 years. I urge [SENATOR/REPRESENTATIVE NAME] to support oversight of HHS and to protect funding for vaccines and public health infrastructure. Thank you."