In a controversial move, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declared on Thursday that the United States would not endorse a crucial United Nations declaration aimed at combating chronic diseases. He asserted that the declaration overlooked ‘the most pressing health issues’ and, more broadly, conflicted with the Trump administration’s stance against policies he characterized as advocating for abortion and ‘radical gender ideology.’
Speaking at a U.N. gathering focused on preventing and managing chronic illnesses such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, Mr. Kennedy did not specify which health concerns he believed the declaration neglected.
Notably, the actual text of the U.N. declaration contains no direct references to reproductive rights or gender ideology. The term ‘gender’ appears multiple times, strictly within discussions of health challenges affecting women specifically.
Despite this significant opposition from the United States, the declaration is widely anticipated to secure approval from most of the U.N.’s 193 member states by October.
This decision aligns with President Trump’s consistent criticism of the U.N. Earlier this year, he initiated America’s withdrawal from the World Health Organization, a U.N. body, accusing it of mishandling the coronavirus pandemic and failing to implement ‘urgently needed reforms.’
Public health experts expressed considerable bewilderment and dismay at Mr. Kennedy’s remarks, which were also shared on social media. Many felt that the U.N.’s ambitious goals for reducing noncommunicable diseases should naturally align with the Health Secretary’s ‘Make America Healthy Again’ initiative, which strongly emphasizes chronic illness, childhood obesity, and the dangers of ultra-processed foods.
“The health secretary’s comments were disturbing, misleading and full of contradictions,” stated Paula Johns, executive director of ACT Health Promotion, a Brazilian advocacy group, in an interview following Mr. Kennedy’s speech. “He claims the U.S. wants international collaboration on chronic diseases but offers no path forward. Instead, he suggests the U.S. would rather abandon the U.N. process.”
The declaration has garnered broad support from global health specialists, even amid criticisms that earlier drafts had been softened due to industry influence. These revisions notably removed proposed measures like high taxes and prominent warning labels, which were intended to curb demand for tobacco, alcohol, and sugar-sweetened beverages. The final version even eliminated all mentions of sugary drinks.
Ironically, many aspects of Mr. Kennedy’s description of the severe threat posed by chronic illness mirrored the very language used in the U.N. declaration.
“Chronic disease has more than doubled in a single generation. Millions of children now lose healthy years before they reach adulthood,” Mr. Kennedy declared. “This crisis does not stop at America’s borders.”
However, he contended that the U.N. General Assembly had exceeded its authority, asserting that the United States could not endorse the promotion of abortion and ‘gender ideology.’
“We believe in the biological reality of sex,” Mr. Kennedy affirmed. “As President Trump has stated, global bureaucrats have absolutely no business attacking the sovereignty of nations that wish to protect innocent life.”
The Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to inquiries seeking clarification regarding Mr. Kennedy’s specific complaints about ignored health issues in the declaration.
Health experts warned that threatening to abandon the U.N. process would only deepen America’s isolation on some of humanity’s most critical health challenges. The White House has already taken a solitary stance against reducing greenhouse gas emissions, a position prominently displayed in recent discussions among world leaders on accelerating climate change efforts.
“The U.S. appears to be attempting to undermine the process, but we believe they cannot succeed at this stage,” remarked Alison Cox, director of policy at the NCD Alliance, an advocacy organization. “This approach is remarkably shortsighted and irresponsible given the urgent global crisis.”
Ms. Cox highlighted that the current declaration was the culmination of a months-long negotiation process involving civil society groups, health experts, and delegations from numerous member states. “It’s not perfect, but it remains a significant achievement for global health,” she concluded.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the WHO, has been a strong proponent of robust measures to combat noncommunicable diseases, which are responsible for 17 million premature deaths annually.
In recent months, Dr. Tedros has actively promoted a separate WHO initiative that encourages countries to implement a 50 percent tax increase on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks over the next decade. He projects that these taxes could generate an estimated $1 trillion for government healthcare initiatives over ten years and avert 50 million premature deaths over five decades.
“Health does not originate in clinics and hospitals,” Dr. Tedros emphasized in his remarks preceding Mr. Kennedy’s address. “It begins 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 the fundamental conditions of our lives and work.”