Additional Coverage:
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has sparked controversy after asserting his ability to diagnose children simply by observing them.
During a Wednesday press conference alongside Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Kennedy expressed concern about the health of American children and claimed he could identify “mitochondrial challenges” and “inflammation” in children merely by looking at them. Kennedy, appointed by President Donald Trump and lacking a medical degree, stated, “I know what a healthy child is supposed to look like.”
He further elaborated, describing his observations of children in airports and on the streets, claiming to discern health issues from their faces, body movements, and social interactions.
Kennedy’s visit coincided with the signing of the “Make America Healthy Again” bill, a Texas initiative aimed at improving childhood health. The bill introduces measures such as enhanced warning labels on foods with specific additives, restricts the purchase of sugary drinks and candy with SNAP benefits, and removes certain additives from subsidized school lunches. Kennedy commended Texas for its efforts in addressing childhood health, positioning the state as a leader in the nation.
However, the health secretary’s claims have drawn criticism and accusations of misinformation. He has been challenged on previous occasions for using inaccurate statistics, including a significant overestimation of diabetes rates in teenagers. During the press conference, Kennedy also misrepresented autism rates, contradicting CDC data.
Kennedy’s stance on vaccinations has also fueled controversy. He recently announced a halt to mRNA vaccine development projects and has previously expressed skepticism about measles vaccines, suggesting that the perceived dangers of measles have been exaggerated to promote vaccination.