WASHINGTON — Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s stance against vaccines is considered outside the conventional views, and his past comments on abortion may distance him from some Republican supporters. However, recent polling indicates that not all of his health-related opinions are met with resistance; in fact, one of his proposals enjoys substantial backing among both Democratic and Republican circles.
As the Senate hearings for his confirmation as the leading health official commence, Kennedy’s success may hinge on how consistently he maintains his personal beliefs amidst scrutiny. He has already adjusted some of his previous positions.
Public perception towards his nomination reflects some skepticism, as shown in a recent survey from the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Approximately 30% of U.S. adults express support for President Donald Trump’s decision to nominate him as the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Conversely, about 40% disapprove, while around 25% either remain neutral or lack sufficient information to form an opinion.
Despite facing criticism, Kennedy finds a degree of support. His nomination is particularly favorable among Republicans, with approximately 60% approving compared to only 10% of Democrats. While many citizens may disagree with certain of Kennedy’s controversial health positions, such as revisiting childhood vaccine guidelines and altering fluoride regulations, some of his initiatives focused on reformulating processed foods receive considerable support.
Polling indicates that the reevaluation of well-established vaccines is largely unpopular. Kennedy has often expressed skepticism towards vaccines, along with false claims linking them to rising autism rates. Research shows that around 40% of Americans are against reassessing government recommendations on widely used vaccines like the flu shot, with support for this direction coming from only about 30%. Additionally, most Republicans, though marginally, lean towards rethinking vaccine guidelines, with support from 40% compared to 20% among Democrats.
On a positive note, one of Kennedy’s most supported initiatives involves limiting harmful ingredients in processed foods. He aims to eliminate certain additives and address the prevalence of ultra-processed foods associated with obesity and diabetes. Approximately two-thirds of Americans are in favor of restricting these ingredients, with support from both political parties reaching about 70%. Interestingly, support peaks among those with higher household incomes, though research suggests that ultra-processed foods are more commonly consumed in lower-income families.
However, the notion of removing restrictions on raw milk is less popular. Kennedy has indicated his desire to counteract what he sees as the FDA’s overwhelming suppression of raw milk, which has been labeled one of the “riskiest” foods by health authorities. Public opinion reflects this caution, with around 40% of U.S. adults opposing the removal of sales restrictions, and only about 20% in favor, although Republican support shows a slight inclination toward this idea.
Regarding weight loss solutions, Kennedy has shown some disagreement with prescription medications yet acknowledged a place for them recently. Polling indicates a general acceptance among Americans for the use of weight loss drugs for those struggling with obesity, with significant backing for covering these treatments through Medicare and Medicaid.
In terms of fluoride in drinking water, Kennedy advocates for local governments to reconsider its addition. Nevertheless, most Americans oppose the removal of fluoride, with about 40% against it and only around 25% supporting removal, with a significant portion being neutral on the issue. This opposition grows notably among older adults, particularly those 60 and older.
Kennedy’s views on abortion introduce a further complication, as he has historically backed abortion rights, a stance that conflicts with many Republican lawmakers likely involved in his confirmation process. Recent polling reveals that a significant majority of voters believe abortion should be legal in most cases, which contrasts the opinions of many conservative voters.
The AP-NORC poll, which surveyed 1,147 adults from January 9 to 13, utilized a representative sample from NORC’s AmeriSpeak Panel, with a margin of error of approximately 3.9 percentage points.