GLP podcast: Will RFK, Jr. restore or destroy public trust in science and medicine?

According to 2024 Gallup polls and Pew Research Surveys, just 22% of U.S. adults trust the federal government, only one-third trust the U.S. health system, and no more than 50% trust the American media. As a result, the internet is ripe with conflicting recommendations about diet and nutrition, food additives, vaccines, and medications. A new President and public health nominees pledge to restore truth and transparency to regain public trust. But will they? GLP founder Jon Entine recently joined Dr. Liza Dunn and Cameron English to discuss the new administration’s approach to public health policy during a webinar hosted by the Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism (FAIR).

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Of particular concern to the science community is Robert F. Kennedy, Jr’s appointment as secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), a position that gives him authority over the entire federal health bureaucracy. RFK, Jr. has pledged “to solve the childhood chronic disease epidemic” and  restore transparency at agencies like the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

These are worthwhile goals that have a lot of popular support—including among many scientists and doctors. What has a lot of experts worried, however, is Kennedy’s outlandish position on vaccines and vocal opposition to farming technologies like pesticides, both of which have made enormous contributions to the advancement of public health.

The critical question, then: exactly which RFK, Jr. will run HHS? Will we get the pro-transparency advocate for preventative medicine, or the left-wing ideologue who views vaccines and other life-saving medicines as dangerous drugs?

Join hosts Dr. Liza Dunn and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 303 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down the recent webinar with FAIR.

Dr. Liza Dunn is a medical toxicologist and the medical affairs lead at Bayer Crop Science. Follow her on X @DrLizaMD

Cameron J. English is the director of bio-sciences at the American Council on Science and Health. Visit his website and follow him on X @camjenglish