Public Health Achievements Highlighted Amidst Scrutiny of Agencies

Washington D.C. – A recent social media post by journalist Isaac Saul has brought into sharp focus the significant, often understated, achievements of public health initiatives and scientific advancements in the United States. The tweet contrasts these successes with criticisms from figures such as Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Trump administration, arguing against a systemic overhaul.

"We don’t talk nearly enough about the successes of public health and the advancements of science, which have largely been pushed by agencies, doctors, and research Kennedy and the Trump administration are now attacking," Isaac Saul stated in his tweet. He acknowledged sharing some of Kennedy's views on "diseases of despair" and lifestyle factors.

The tweet enumerates substantial improvements in public health, including a 34% drop in cancer deaths since 1991, a 93% decrease in death rates from childhood leukemia since 1950, and approximately a 75% decline in cardiovascular disease mortality since the 1950s. Saul also highlighted the global eradication of smallpox, a 99% reduction in measles cases, and a 10-year increase in U.S. life expectancy during the 20th century. Further points included a 54% decrease in HIV and AIDS deaths since 2010 and a reported 27% fall in overdose deaths in 2024.

These public health gains are widely attributed to the sustained efforts of health agencies and scientific research. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies vaccine-preventable diseases, control of infectious diseases, and advancements in maternal and infant health as key achievements. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has played a vital role in ensuring food safety, leading to less contaminated food.

However, Secretary Kennedy, a prominent figure in the Trump administration, has been a vocal critic of established public health bodies and vaccine policies. During a contentious Senate Finance Committee hearing in September 2025, Kennedy defended his controversial decisions to reshape public health, including the firing of the CDC director and other high-ranking officials. He has consistently alleged that federal scientists have colluded with the pharmaceutical industry, citing high rates of chronic disease as justification for his reform agenda.

Kennedy's leadership at the Department of Health and Human Services has also seen the cancellation of significant research funding for mRNA technology and a more restricted approach to updated COVID-19 vaccines by the FDA. Medical experts and former public health officials have voiced considerable concern, with some accusing Kennedy of deliberately undermining public trust in vaccines and the foundational institutions of public health. This ongoing debate underscores a significant divergence in how public health policy and the role of government agencies in national well-being are perceived and managed.