RFK Jr., Alcohol & Cancer, and the FDA’s Labeling Fail

Public Health Without Politics offers health tips, policy insights, and strategies to combat America's chronic disease crisis.

In this issue:

RFK Jr. takes the spotlight
Will alcohol give me cancer?
FDA’s new food labels won’t help obesity
Trending in health this week

Spotlight on Health Policy: RFK Jr.’s Nomination and the Alcohol Cancer Debate

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Faces Questions from Senators During Confirmation Hearing

On January 29, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. appeared before the Senate for his confirmation hearing to be health secretary.

How will this impact me? President Trump nominated Kennedy to serve as the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). HHS plays a significant role in shaping policies that impact American healthcare, well-being, and public health.

My thoughts: While I agree with Kennedy on some issues, including his valid criticisms of regulatory agencies like FDA, some of his stances on public health issues give me pause. On the prediction market platform Polymarket, RFK Jr.'s confirmation chances stand at 78%, making him the second least likely of Trump’s nominees to be confirmed, just ahead of Tulsi Gabbard. I guess we’ll see if he gets it…

Cancer Warnings on Alcohol?

Earlier this month, the U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said that alcoholic beverages should come with cancer warnings, igniting a fierce debate over the safety of alcohol.

How will this impact me? It may lead to consider not so much whether to drink but how much.