Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on Thursday that the United States would not endorse a United Nations declaration aimed at combating chronic diseases. He asserted that the document inappropriately mentioned abortion and “radical gender ideology,” and furthermore, neglected other critical health challenges.
During a U.N. assembly focused on preventing and managing chronic conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, Mr. Kennedy delivered his statement but did not specify which health concerns he believed the declaration overlooked.
Notably, the actual text of the declaration makes no mention of reproductive rights or gender ideology. The term “gender” is used exclusively to refer to specific health disparities and challenges experienced by women globally.
Despite America’s strong objections, this declaration, which outlines key health objectives, is widely anticipated to be adopted by most of the 193 U.N. member states.
This isn’t the first time the U.S. has distanced itself from global health efforts under the current administration. Earlier this year, President Trump, a vocal critic of the U.N., directed the United States to withdraw from the World Health Organization. He cited concerns about the agency’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic and an alleged failure to implement crucial reforms.
Public health professionals expressed confusion and dismay at Mr. Kennedy’s statements, which were also shared on social media. Many felt that the U.N.’s ambitious goals for tackling noncommunicable diseases aligned closely with the Health Secretary’s own “Make America Healthy Again” initiative, particularly its emphasis on chronic conditions, childhood obesity, and highly processed foods.
“The Health Secretary’s comments were troubling, deceptive, and contradictory,” stated Paula Johns, executive director of ACT Health Promotion in Brazil, in an interview following Mr. Kennedy’s address. “He purports that the U.S. desires international cooperation on chronic diseases, yet offers no viable path for it, instead signaling a withdrawal from U.N. engagement.”
Despite some earlier criticisms that industry influence had weakened initial recommendations – such as proposals for high taxes and graphic warning labels on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks – the declaration still enjoys broad support from global health specialists. All specific mentions of sugary beverages were removed in the final version.
Interestingly, many aspects of Mr. Kennedy’s portrayal of the severe threat posed by chronic illness closely echoed the U.N. declaration itself.
“The prevalence of chronic disease has more than doubled within a single generation, leading to millions of children losing healthy years even before reaching adulthood,” Mr. Kennedy observed. “This crisis transcends America’s borders.”
However, he argued that the U.N. General Assembly had exceeded its mandate, and that the United States would not endorse any document promoting abortion or “gender ideology.”
“We uphold the biological reality of sex,” Mr. Kennedy declared. He reiterated President Trump’s stance that “global bureaucrats have absolutely no business attacking the sovereignty of nations that wish to protect innocent life.”
The Department of Health and Human Services declined to comment when asked for clarification regarding Mr. Kennedy’s assertions about abortion and gender ideology.
According to health experts, threatening to withdraw from the U.N. process will only exacerbate U.S. isolation on critical global health matters. The current White House administration is already a lone voice in its opposition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, a stance prominently highlighted during recent discussions among world leaders on climate change initiatives.
“The U.S. appears to be attempting to undermine this process, but we don’t believe they will succeed at this juncture,” commented Alison Cox, policy director at the NCD Alliance, an advocacy group. “This approach is incredibly shortsighted and unconstructive given the pressing nature of this global crisis.”
Ms. Cox emphasized that the declaration was forged through months of negotiations involving civil society groups, health experts, and delegates from various member states. She concluded, “While not flawless, it remains a significant accomplishment for global health.”
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), has consistently championed assertive strategies to combat noncommunicable diseases, which claim 17 million lives prematurely each year.
Recently, Dr. Tedros has been spearheading a distinct WHO initiative urging nations to increase taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary beverages by 50 percent within the next decade. He projects that these taxes could generate an estimated $1 trillion for government healthcare over a decade and prevent 50 million premature deaths over a 50-year period.
“Health truly begins not in clinics or hospitals,” Dr. Tedros remarked before Mr. Kennedy’s address. “It originates in our homes, schools, streets, and workplaces – influenced by the food we consume, the products we use, the water we drink, the air we breathe, and our overall living and working conditions.”