Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Thursday that the United States would not endorse a United Nations declaration aimed at tackling chronic diseases. He justified this rejection by alleging the document contains references to abortion and “radical gender ideology,” and that it fails to address “the most pressing health issues.”
During a U.N. meeting focused on preventing and combating chronic illnesses such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, Mr. Kennedy delivered his statements but notably did not specify which critical health issues he believed the declaration overlooked.
It’s important to note that the actual text of the declaration makes no mention of reproductive rights or gender ideology. The term “gender” is used sparingly within the document, exclusively in the context of global health challenges disproportionately affecting women.
Despite this significant opposition from the United States, the declaration — which outlines a series of health targets — is widely expected to be approved by the majority of the U.N.’s 193 member states.
This move follows a pattern set by President Trump, a consistent critic of the U.N., who earlier this year directed the U.S. to withdraw from the World Health Organization. His justification at the time included claims that the WHO mishandled the coronavirus pandemic and failed to implement “urgently needed reforms.”
Public health advocates expressed profound confusion and disappointment regarding Mr. Kennedy’s comments, which also circulated on social media. They pointed out that many of the U.N.’s ambitious goals for reducing noncommunicable diseases appear to align perfectly with the Health Secretary’s own “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, which prioritizes chronic illness, childhood obesity, and the impact of ultra-processed foods.
“The health secretary’s statements were unsettling, deceptive, and riddled with inconsistencies,” stated Paula Johns, executive director of ACT Health Promotion, a Brazilian advocacy group, in an interview shortly after Mr. Kennedy’s address. “He asserts that the U.S. desires international cooperation on chronic diseases, yet offers no pathway for this collaboration. Instead, he declares the U.S. preference to disengage from the U.N. altogether.”
Despite some earlier criticism that initial recommendations were diluted due to industry pressure, the declaration continues to receive broad support from global health experts. These dilutions notably involved the removal of strong measures, such as high taxes and prominent warning labels, aimed at curbing the consumption of tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks. In fact, all direct mentions of sugary drinks were completely removed from the final draft.
Interestingly, much of Mr. Kennedy’s portrayal of the severe threat posed by chronic illness closely echoed the sentiments expressed in the U.N. declaration itself.
“Chronic disease has seen a staggering increase, more than doubling within a single generation, leading to millions of children losing healthy years before even reaching adulthood,” Mr. Kennedy emphasized. “This health crisis,” he added, “is not confined by America’s borders.”
However, he contended that the U.N. General Assembly had exceeded its mandate, and therefore, the United States could not endorse any promotion of abortion or “gender ideology.”
“We firmly believe in the biological reality of sex,” Mr. Kennedy stated, echoing former President Trump’s assertion 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 did not provide any clarification regarding Mr. Kennedy’s controversial remarks on abortion and gender ideology when approached for comment.
Health experts warn that withdrawing from the U.N. process would only exacerbate U.S. isolation on critical global health challenges. They noted that the White House is already an outlier in its opposition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, a stance vividly demonstrated during recent discussions among world leaders on accelerating climate change mitigation efforts.
“It appears the U.S. is attempting to undermine this process, but we question how they can possibly succeed at this juncture,” commented Alison Cox, policy director at the NCD Alliance, an advocacy group. “This approach is incredibly shortsighted and unconstructive when confronted with such a pressing global crisis.”
Ms. Cox highlighted that the declaration is the culmination of a months-long negotiation involving civil society organizations, health experts, and delegates from numerous member states. “It may not be perfect,” she conceded, “but it nonetheless represents a significant milestone for global health.”
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, has consistently championed bold actions to combat noncommunicable diseases, which tragically account for 17 million premature deaths annually.
Recently, Dr. Tedros has spearheaded a distinct WHO initiative, urging nations to implement a 50 percent increase in taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks within the next decade. He projects these taxes could generate an estimated $1 trillion for government healthcare initiatives over a 10-year period, potentially averting 50 million premature deaths over five decades.
“Health begins not within clinics and hospitals,” Dr. Tedros remarked, speaking before Mr. Kennedy’s address. “It originates in our homes, schools, streets, and workplaces — in the food we consume, the products we use, the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the fundamental conditions of our lives and livelihoods.”