Latest news with #healthguidance
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
‘My Father Told Me...': RFK Jr. Makes Wild Warning Undermining Expert Health Advice
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Thursday said assessing health guidance is similar to researching baby strollers as a new mom, urging Americans to 'be skeptical of authority' while serving in a top Cabinet position. CNN's Kaitlan Collins asked Kennedy if he stood by his earlier comment that people should not be taking medical advice from him, even though his job involves communicating health guidance and recommendations based on his department's expertise. 'Yeah, absolutely,' Kennedy said. 'I'm somebody who is not a physician... and they should also be skeptical about any medical advice. They need to do their own research.' Kennedy added that when 'you're a mom, you do your own research on your baby carriage, on your baby bottles, on your baby formula,' suggesting a similar approach should be taken when assessing medical advice. When Collins pointed out that most mothers do not have medical degrees and would rather rely on their physicians, Kennedy claimed that health experts in a democracy 'are subject to all kinds of biases.' 'One of the responsibilities of living in a democracy is to do your own research and to make up your own mind,' he added. Kennedy also recalled a piece of advice from his father, suggesting it was relevant to their discussion. 'I would say, be skeptical of authority. My father told me that when I was a young kid, people in authority lie,' Kennedy said, baselessly claiming that 'critical thinking was shut down' during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kennedy, a prominent vaccine skeptic, was nominated to serve in one of the country's top jobs by President Donald Trump, raising eyebrows during a House subcommittee hearing last week with his answer to a question about whether he would vaccinate his children against measles if they were still young. 'I don't think people should be taking advice, medical advice from me,' he said. 'I think if I answer that question directly that it will seem like I'm giving advice to other people, and I don't want to be doing that,' he continued. Kennedy, though, has not held back from lending credence to debunked conspiracy theories, including falsely suggesting that vaccines are linked to autism. While his Making America Healthy Again report, released on Thursday, did not touch on that specific claim, it still hinted that the growth of the immunization schedule for children may be detrimental to them, even though childhood vaccination saves millions of lives every year. 'Vaccines benefit children by protecting them from infectious diseases. But as with any medicine, vaccines can have side effects that must be balanced against their benefits,' the report reads. 'Parents should be fully informed of the benefits and risks of vaccines.' RFK Jr.'s MAHA Report Goes After Vaccines, Prescription Meds, Food Supply RFK Jr.'s MAHA Report Raises Concerns About Vaccines, U.S. Foods And Prescription Drugs RFK Jr. Has A Meltdown After Democrat Asks Him 1 Simple Question
Associated Press
22-05-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
New Report Examines the Impact of Disinformation on Public Health Outcomes
'Disinformation is not simply incorrect information — it is deliberate, malicious, and deeply damaging.'— Clarisse Virgino MANILA, PHILIPPINES, May 22, 2025 / / -- In an era of widespread access to information, the growing influence of disinformation presents complex challenges for public health. A new analysis, The Silent Threat: How Disinformation Harms Public Health, explores the potential effects of misleading information on public trust and the delivery of health guidance, and recommends strategies for evidence-based responses. The report outlines how disinformation—defined as the intentional spread of false or misleading information—can create confusion and reduce adherence to health recommendations. It also suggests that when public health decisions appear to be shaped by factors other than scientific evidence, confidence in health systems can diminish, potentially affecting outcomes. 'Disinformation differs from simple misinformation in that it is intentional and designed to mislead,' said Clarisse Virgino, CAPHRA Philippines representative. 'It can gain traction particularly when there are inconsistencies in public health messaging or when individuals perceive a disconnect between official guidance and their personal experiences.' The analysis draws on examples such as the COVID-19 pandemic, where varying information and debates over policy led to public skepticism. Similar concerns are noted in areas such as tobacco harm reduction, where conflicting narratives may complicate decision-making for individuals seeking to understand their options. The report highlights that disinformation may disproportionately impact vulnerable populations, including marginalized communities that already encounter barriers to accessing healthcare and accurate information. These dynamics can exacerbate existing health inequities. The authors advocate for public health policy to remain firmly rooted in evidence and emphasize the importance of clear, consistent communication. They recommend that public health leaders focus on maintaining transparency and rebuilding trust as fundamental components of effective health promotion and protection. The report concludes by calling on public health authorities to prioritize the delivery of accurate information and to ensure that the needs and welfare of the population remain central to decision-making processes. To read the full position paper, please visit: N. E. Loucas Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates [email protected] Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
