HHS Secretary Kennedy's First Year Upends Public Health Norms

Critics call his actions 'chaos' while supporters hope for more 'transformative' changes

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s first year in office has upended decades of public health norms. He's touted his overhauls as major wins for his 'Make America Healthy Again' (MAHA) agenda, but critics call his actions 'chaos' while his supporters are hoping he'll deliver more.

Why it matters

Kennedy's tenure as the nation's top public health official has been marked by heated opposition from major medical societies, lawmakers, and even his own family members, while drawing adulation from longtime skeptics of mainstream health care. His actions on vaccines, autism, and food policy have significantly reshaped the federal government's approach to public health.

The details

Since taking office, Kennedy has made sweeping changes, including firing the entire Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and filling the seats with vaccine critics, reducing the number of recommended childhood vaccines, and canceling funding for mRNA vaccine research. He has also focused heavily on finding the cause of autism, despite the scientific consensus that it stems from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Additionally, Kennedy has pushed to restrict recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) from buying certain foods and unveiled new Dietary Guidelines for Americans that emphasize whole foods over ultra-processed items.

  • Kennedy was confirmed as HHS secretary on February 13, 2025.
  • In January 2026, the CDC reduced the number of recommended childhood vaccines from 17 to 11.
  • In April 2026, Kennedy announced an initiative to phase out artificial, petroleum-based food dyes, though this hinged on voluntary commitments from food manufacturers.
  • Last month, Kennedy unveiled updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) for 2025-2030.

The players

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The current Secretary of Health and Human Services, who has upended decades of public health norms with his 'Make America Healthy Again' (MAHA) agenda.

Mark Gorton

The founder of file-sharing platform LimeWire and a major backer of Kennedy's 2024 presidential campaign. He is now president of the MAHA Institute, an organization that works to support the MAHA agenda.

Demetre Daskalakis

The senior public health adviser at Wellness Equity Alliance and former director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, who has criticized Kennedy's actions as 'narcissism and chaos.'

Ezekiel Emanuel

An oncologist and former member of the Biden transition team's COVID-19 advisory board, who has criticized some of Kennedy's appointments to advisory committees as not being 'science-based.'

Alison Singer

The president of the Autism Science Foundation, who has criticized the 'unprecedented overhaul' of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) under Kennedy.

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What they’re saying

“I think they are an excellent first step. There's still a lot of work to be done.”

— Mark Gorton, President of the MAHA Institute (cenlanow.com)

“Narcissism and chaos.”

— Demetre Daskalakis, Senior public health adviser at Wellness Equity Alliance (cenlanow.com)

“They are advocates of scientific therapies and interventions that are not scientifically based.”

— Ezekiel Emanuel, Oncologist and former member of the Biden transition team's COVID-19 advisory board (cenlanow.com)

“It is … one of two bright spots under his regime; that is this emphasis on cutting back on ultra-processed food, cutting back on sugar, salt and eating more plant proteins.”

— Ezekiel Emanuel, Oncologist and former member of the Biden transition team's COVID-19 advisory board (cenlanow.com)

“The newly constituted IACC represents a complete and unprecedented overhaul, with no continuity from prior committees and a striking absence of scientific expertise.”

— Alison Singer, President of the Autism Science Foundation (cenlanow.com)

What’s next

The American Medical Association (AMA) has announced it is launching its own 'evidence-based review process' of vaccine safety and efficacy for the next respiratory viral season, citing the current state of the ACIP under Kennedy's leadership.

The takeaway

Kennedy's first year as HHS secretary has been marked by significant and controversial changes to public health policy, drawing fierce opposition from the medical establishment while energizing his base of supporters. His actions on vaccines, autism, and food standards have upended decades of established norms, raising concerns about the scientific integrity of federal health guidance, even as some of his reforms, like reducing ultra-processed foods, have been praised.