Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has proposed a significant shift in how American government scientists publish their research. During a recent appearance on the Ultimate Human podcast, Kennedy expressed concerns about the integrity of top medical journals, claiming they are compromised by their ties to pharmaceutical companies.
Kennedy, who is leading the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative, stated that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) might stop publishing in established journals like the Lancet, New England Journal of Medicine, and JAMA. He criticized these publications for being influenced by funding from Big Pharma, suggesting that the NIH could create its own medical journals instead. He believes that such journals could become highly respected in the scientific community, as NIH funding would signify credibility.
This proposal is part of a broader effort by Kennedy to restore trust in the medical field, particularly in light of the controversies surrounding COVID-19 policies. He pointed to past failures, including the promotion of universal masking and vaccines, which he claims were based on flawed science.
In a related announcement, Kennedy, alongside NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya and FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, revealed that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would no longer recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for healthy children and pregnant women. Kennedy emphasized that this decision marks a significant change from previous recommendations made during the Biden administration, which he argued lacked sufficient clinical data.
Bhattacharya supported the decision, calling it a return to common sense and good science. Makary added that there is currently no evidence to suggest that healthy children need the vaccine, echoing the stance of many countries that have also stopped recommending it for children.
This announcement aligns with the recent release of the MAHA Commission Report, which focused on improving child health in the U.S. The report examined chronic diseases and their potential links to factors like processed foods and vaccines.
Kennedy’s actions and proposals reflect a growing movement aimed at reevaluating public health policies and restoring confidence in medical recommendations. As these developments unfold, they could have a lasting impact on how health information is disseminated and trusted in the future.