In 2024, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was a presidential hopeful running under the banner of “making America healthy again.”

Among his most fervent supporters: vaccine skeptics and cynics, nutrition-focused parents and anti-pesticide activists.

After dropping out of the presidential contest and endorsing Donald Trump, Kennedy emerged as the president’s foremost pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

Now, many in the so-called “MAHA coalition” are disappointed with Secretary Kennedy for what they describe as a failure to deliver key reforms to the nation’s health and food systems.

And, we discuss what the rise in measles and other infectious diseases means about the state of our public health. Secretary Kennedy has repeatedly downplayed recent measles outbreaks and given deeply mixed messages on vaccination.

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