Devi Sridhar (Edinburgh University) notes that the nomination for US Health Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy junior, has some 'redeeming' features. He's largely-known for his anti-vaccination rants. Kennedy promises, however, not to stop vaccines being made available. That doesn't mean, of course, he will encourage necessary vaccinations. He's apparently still intent on removing fluoride from US drinking water. Fluoride is toxic at high doses (much more than you could get from drinking tap water). This ion, however, strengthens the teeth, limiting tooth decay. Nobody would need fluoride in drinking water, if they had regular and affordable access to dental hygiene and treatment. That certainly isn't the case for most folk. Sridhar notes, however, that Kennedy is intent on improving diets (a good thing) and removing some still-used mutagenic dyes (banned in Europe) from breakfast cereals etc. (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jan/31/donald-trump-health-secretary-robert-f-kennedy-jr-fluoride-school-lunches-additives). The impression left, is that Kennedy is a 'mixed bag'. You get the good with the bad. The rough with the smooth. The swings with the roundabouts. One can argue, however, that the problem is worse than being 'a mixed bag'. A Health Secretary has to know where to get dependable scientific advice. It's even better when they have some personal understanding. Public health depends on science. Science, deals in probabilities rather than absolutes. It often needs modifying, as data accumulates (as in the Covid19 pandemic). A Health Secretary relying on his gut instincts is dangerous to himself and the society he's allegedly serving!
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