RFK Jr. promised to restore trust in US health agencies. One year later, it’s eroding

Associated Press (AP)EN 7 min read 100% complete by By MIKE STOBBE and ALI SWENSONFebruary 12, 2026 at 04:53 PM

AI Summary

long article 7 min

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the head of the US Department of Health and Human Services, has been leading efforts to restore trust in America's public health agencies since his appointment one year ago. However, his actions have instead eroded trust among medical groups and the public. Kennedy Jr. has defended his changes to federal health policy as part of restoring trust, but critics argue that he is not following scientific evidence. He has scaled back immunization guidance and dismissed scientists and advisers, leading to clashes with top medical groups. This has deepened confusion about public health policies during a time when trust in agencies had already surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Surveys have shown a decline in public trust in health agencies under Kennedy Jr.'s leadership.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

United States Capitol 40% White House 50% United States Department of Health and Human Services ×260% Donald Trump ×470% Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ×580%

Keywords

trust in health agencies 90% robert f. kennedy jr. 80% us health agencies 70% anti-vaccine movement 70% public health 60% health policy 60% covid-19 pandemic 50% department of health and human services 50% immunization guidance 50% following the science 40%