RFK Jr.'s Landmark Health Report Stumbles as Seven Citations Vanish

In May 2025, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. released his 'Make America Healthy Again' report, aiming to overhaul how the nation approaches health. The document, crafted by Kennedy’s commission, accuses doctors of over-relying on pharmaceuticals and questions the growing childhood vaccine schedule. It calls for tackling disease at its roots, like diet and environmental exposures. Many welcomed the fresh perspective, but a critical flaw quickly surfaced.

Seven citations meant to support the report’s claims were nowhere to be found. This error handed critics a reason to challenge the document’s reliability. For a public already skeptical of health authorities, the misstep raises a pressing question: can a plan with big ideas hold weight if its evidence falters? The uproar reflects deeper tensions about trust and truth in health policy today.

Public confidence in health institutions has been eroding for decades. From mid-2023 to early 2025, trust in the CDC fell from 66% to 61%, and the FDA dropped from 65% to 53%. Even personal doctors saw trust dip from 93% to 85%. This slide began in the 1960s, fueled by events like the Tuskegee syphilis study and later by drug industry scandals and polarized COVID-19 policies. People feel the system prioritizes profits over patients.

Kennedy’s report speaks to this frustration. It criticizes doctors for following pharmaceutical agendas and urges a rethink of vaccines and pesticides. These ideas connect with those who see medicine as increasingly corporate. Yet the missing citations weaken its case, giving detractors grounds to call it unreliable. The debate mirrors a larger struggle: people crave trustworthy health guidance but question who delivers it.

Supporters of Kennedy’s report view it as a vital challenge to a flawed system. Advocates for holistic health, who prioritize diet and natural remedies, praise its focus on root causes over quick fixes. They point to past successes, like the 1990s establishment of the NIH’s Office of Alternative Medicine, to argue that questioning medical norms can drive change. For them, the report voices concerns long ignored by mainstream health leaders.

Public health experts and medical organizations, however, see serious flaws. They argue the report distorts research and questions vaccines without solid evidence. Groups like the American Medical Association warn that its claims could undermine immunization efforts, risking public health gains. The nonexistent citations strengthen their critique, suggesting the report favors bold statements over careful science. This divide shapes how people weigh its ideas.

Health discussions are deeply tied to politics. Surveys show eight in ten Republicans trust figures like Kennedy on health matters, while Democrats rely more on agencies like the CDC. This split has historical roots, from Theodore Roosevelt’s hygiene campaigns to Nixon’s cancer initiatives. Today’s polarized climate makes agreement elusive, especially when reports like Kennedy’s appeal to one group’s skepticism of authority.

Online platforms amplify the noise. Health misinformation, including vaccine conspiracies, gained billions of views during the COVID-19 era. Kennedy’s anti-pharma messaging fits this trend, spreading quickly in skeptical circles. Efforts to counter falsehoods, like fact-checking or teaching media literacy, struggle to match the pace. The report’s citation errors only deepen doubts, complicating the search for reliable health information.

The stakes are real. Falling vaccination rates in some communities tie directly to declining trust in medical advice. If Kennedy’s report gains ground despite its errors, it might steer more people away from proven health measures. But rejecting it entirely could alienate those who feel mainstream medicine overlooks their concerns. Balancing valid critiques of the system with respect for evidence is a tough but necessary goal.

Rebuilding trust won’t be quick. Public health leaders are exploring tools like early misinformation debunking and better digital education, but history shows trust takes time to restore. Kennedy’s report, despite its flaws, has ignited a discussion that demands attention. It highlights a core truth: health policy must address people’s doubts to regain their confidence.

The path forward hinges on open dialogue. People want health solutions grounded in both science and empathy. Whether Kennedy’s vision moves the needle depends on its ability to withstand scrutiny and whether society can bridge divides to focus on shared health goals.