By: Ryan Wolfe
April 18, 2025
Major plagues have dominated the world for over hundreds of years. There was the Bubonic Plague of 1346 which ravaged 2/3 of Europe’s population at the time; the Great Plague of London in 1665; the Spanish flu of 1918, which millions of the world population died; the H3N2 virus that spread in the late 1960s; the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, and most recently the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Diseases manifest in a wide range of forms, from mild illnesses like the common cold to severe conditions such as Ebola. In a more globalized society, public health has become more of a prevalent topic in the modern world.
Public trust in health authorities rapidly declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, as skepticism toward vaccines and certain policies grew. Controversies surrounding masks, school closures, and social distancing dominated discussions throughout the pandemic’s three-year peak. Vaccine hesitancy, in some cases, stems from historical injustices, such as the unethical Tuskegee Syphilis study, where Black participants were deliberately left untreated for decades.
Despite past unethical medical practices, vaccines have played a crucial role in eradicating diseases like polio and chickenpox in various parts of the world. In the U.S., the CDC reports a 97% reduction in chickenpox cases since the vaccination program began in the 1990s. This highlights the power of medical advancements and global collaboration in preventing illness, reducing health risks, and ultimately saving lives.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the new Health and Human Services director, aims to “Make America Healthy Again,” with a strong focus on eliminating harmful food dyes and chemicals from everyday products, including sugary drinks and snacks. While his push for healthier eating could positively address the rising obesity epidemic, his controversial stance on vaccines and medicine raises concerns about potential harm to public health.
RFK Jr. has long been associated with spreading vaccine misinformation, including his claim that measles and mumps vaccines contribute to autism—a notion based on a discredited 1998 study that was later retracted for lack of evidence. In November 2023, he spoke at an anti-vaccine conference in Georgia, suggesting NIH employees shift focus from infectious disease research to chronic illnesses. However, halting research on infectious diseases would not eliminate them; it would only delay responses and leave the public vulnerable to their harmful effects.
Misinformation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted public trust, aligning with some of RFK Jr.’s narratives. As of recent reports, only 63% of Americans believe the COVID vaccine is safer than the disease itself—a sharp decline from 75% in April 2021. Additionally, 16% still subscribe to the debunked theory that vaccines are linked to autism, despite repeated scientific refutations. This underscores a persistent misunderstanding of correlation versus causation, fueling skepticism around vaccination.
Here’s a clear example of why correlation doesn’t always mean causation: while high sodium intake and excessive calorie consumption are both associated with obesity, they are also linked to high blood pressure. However, determining which factor has a more direct impact on blood pressure is complex. The relationship between these variables remains nuanced, and surface-level observations may not capture the full picture. As research continues, the deeper connections between these factors will become clearer.
RFK Jr.’s public health mission emphasizes prevention, addressing chronic illnesses, and promoting healthier eating habits. However, his proposed cuts to systems tracking HIV/AIDS and infectious diseases could pose significant challenges to healthcare management. Public health resources remain critical in the U.S. and globally, especially in regions still battling diseases like malaria and yellow fever. In poorer countries, access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure is still a pressing need. Moving away from vaccines and global health initiatives risks undermining progress and leaving vulnerable populations at greater risk.
Next, I’ll explore the profound impact of public health initiatives on both the U.S. and the world. I’ll also highlight the often-overlooked issue of mental health, examining how it affects people of all ages—from children to the elderly—particularly in our increasingly digital society.