HHS Sec Kennedy Jr. criticizes CDC for listing abortion among 20th century’s top health achievements

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has publicly criticized the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for including abortion under the banner of "great public health achievements" of the 20th century.

The CDC's list, originally published in 1999, names ten achievements it credits with significantly extending life expectancy and improving quality of life in the 20th century. These include immunization, motor vehicle safety, workplace safety, control of infectious diseases, a decline in deaths from coronary heart disease and stroke, safer and healthier foods, healthier mothers and babies, family planning, fluoridation of drinking water and the recognition of tobacco use as a health hazard.

However, Kennedy argued that the CDC used family planning as an umbrella term that covers contraception access, fertility services and, controversially, abortion access.

In line with this, Kennedy expressed strong disapproval of several items listed by the CDC as key advancements in modern public health, including abortion, water fluoridation and vaccines, in an interview with Fox News on Thursday, Aug. 28. His remarks signal a potential shift in how federal health agencies may be evaluated and managed under his leadership.

"Today on the CDC's website, they list the 10 greatest advances in medical science and one of them is abortion," Kennedy said, referencing the agency's recognition of "family planning" as a major public health success. The CDC includes access to abortion as part of that broader category. "Another is fluoridation and another is vaccines. So we need to look at the priorities of the agency. There's really a deeply embedded, I would say, malaise at the agency."

Brighteon.AI's Enoch views Kennedy's statement as particularly notable given his longstanding political support for legal abortion, even as he has tried to separate his personal opposition to the procedure from his stance on its legality.