More than half of Americans (59%) disapprove of Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy’s overall job performance as well as his handling of vaccine policy (62%), according to a new KFF Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust. The poll surveyed over 1300 U.S. adults via telephone or online between September 23-29 this year to assess information regarding health information and public trust.
Despite a majority disapproving Kennedy’s performance, views on the secretary are largely partisan, with most Republicans approving his job performance. Nearly 7 in 10 (67%) Republicans say they trust Kennedy to provide reliable vaccine information, while only 13% of Democrats do.
A similar stark contrast between Republicans and Democrats was also seen when considering President Trump’s recent comments on Tylenol and autism. In a recent press conference, President Trump linked autism to Tylenol use during pregnancy. According to the KFF poll, 56% of Republicans believed the President’s claims about Tylenol were “definitely true” or “probably true”, while 59% of Democrats believed President Trump’s statements were “definitely false”. To date, no scientific study has shown a causal relationship between Tylenol and autism.
Another finding in the poll showed a drastic decline in public trust for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, driven mainly by Democrats and Independents. In the past two years, there has been a 24% decline in trust in the CDC’s vaccine information among Democrats.
The findings in the KFF poll reinforce the notion that Americans’ health beliefs are now being shaped by political identity and ideological alignment. A sound healthcare system is necessary in order to save lives and offer equitable healthcare to all American citizens. The deep polarization in health attitudes based on partisan divides could pose multiple risks to public health.
As an example, consider healthcare messaging from the federal government and how that can impact compliance with recommendations. When there are inconsistencies in the way public health guidance is being communicated, responses to health guidance during outbreaks can become fragmented. This is precisely what occurred during the measles outbreak in Texas earlier this year when Secretary Kennedy touted the use of vitamin A as a potential remedy for measles. Some unvaccinated children with measles were being treated for liver damage from vitamin A toxicity, in part because of the messaging from Kennedy.
This vulnerability to misinformation is again being personified with the Tylenol and autism debate. Although the beliefs of the claims between Tylenol and autism was closely tied to partisanship in the KFF poll, most Americans expressed uncertainty in the President’s remarks, declaring the unproven claim was either “probably true” or “probably false”. When health and politics become more closely intertwined, it can become difficult for the public to discern whether recommendations are actually based on sound evidence.
Partisan fissures in health information can also translate to health disparities. Communities that align with one party may adopt health practices differently than communities that adhere to recommendations from a different political party. This could theoretically result in differences in vaccine uptake and disease prevention.
The KFF poll highlights the deep partisan divide that has now permeated attitudes towards health. This trend raises profound challenges for public health officials and healthcare providers who depend on scientific evidence to educate Americans on best health practices. The path forward will need to rely on dialogue, transparency and a commitment to educate with evidence-based information.