Overview

• A joint op-ed published Oct. 7 in The Washington Post calls the threat posed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s policies profound, immediate and unprecedented.
• The statement is signed by Jerome Adams, Richard Carmona, Joycelyn Elders, Vivek Murthy, Antonia Novello and David Satcher, reflecting service under presidents of both parties since George H. W. Bush.
• The authors cite vaccine misinformation, a measles response that emphasized unproven vitamin therapies over vaccination, and a push for acetaminophen warning labels based on a discredited autism link.
• They describe plummeting morale and an exodus of public health professionals, alleging censorship of scientific findings and pressure on career staff to endorse conclusions not backed by evidence.
• Their appeal urges leadership committed to scientific integrity and transparency to restore trust across the NIH, CDC and FDA and safeguard Americans’ health.