Trump’s choice of health secretary has many dangerous views – but some good ideas too | Devi Sridhar

T.He united States and Britain: Two countries divided by a common language and with very different approaches to health, whether it is how there is access to healthcare, what kind of food is sold in supermarkets, what is advertised on TV or even what is In the water we drink from our taps. After living in both countries for a comprehensive period, the UK takes in my opinion a more sensible approach to the implementation of pro-health and wellness policies, closely linked to EU rules. But the United States could soon follow, under a series of suggestions from a surprising source: Donald Trump’s nominees for health secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr., when I posted last month, many of his ideas are potentially dangerous to public health-from bisarian conspiracy theories for anti-vaccine views and campaign and completely divorced from data and reality. But a few of them could prove to be beneficial.

E.g. Hyperactivity in children. Kennedy has suggested this week that he will ban some of these in foods. Depending on what he exactly does, this Is not a radical suggestion: It can just put the United States in line with what is being done in other countries. It’s the same with his suggestions to regulate Advertising pharmaceutical products And improve the quality of nutrition of school meals.

But what about his statements about dangers at fluorine In drinking water? In 1945, fluorine was introduced in us drinking water due to concern about dental hygiene and the increase in cavities in children. Fluorine is a naturally occurring mineral and turns out to reduce dental drop. And the evidence shows that fluorinated water has important dental services.

Kennedy has promised to remove fluorine from drinking water and claims it is toxic. Yes, at high levels and when consumed (rather than just applied teeth like toothpaste), Fluorine can be toxic to the brain and may have a negative impact on the cognitive development of children – a recent Jama Pediatrics Meta-analysis (which summarizes other studies) showed that high levels of fluorine exposure were linked to lower IQ scores in children. Yet The point where the fluorine affects neural development is far higher than the level found in average American wiring water. It is also above the level that the World Health Organization recommends as the maximum allowed concentration in drinking water. In addition, the Jama Pediatrics article was published with two expert comments noting that the meta-analyzes were limited-of the 74 studies examined were 45 performed in China and 52 studies were highlighted as a high risk of bias.

As with most things in science, fluorine is not quite good or bad. It was a tool brought in to help reduce dental problems what did effective-and it is worth constantly exploring this policy to evaluate whether it fits the latest evidence and the state of the world.

Does the US still need fluoride in the water? It depends on who you are asking: We now have better ways to prevent dental drop, such as seeing a dentist regularly, brushing with fluoride toothpaste, dental floss and limiting sugary foods and drinks that are stuck in the teeth and encouraging bacterial growth. However, dentists are increasingly out of reach for fighting families and children in deprived areas. Some countries are still moving against Adding Fluorine: England and Wales introduced a bill in 2021 to allow the health secretary to Bring water fluoride – – Supported of all four nations head of medical officers. It is estimated that One in 10 people In England, fluorine has plans to expand it further.

Completing water fluoride in the United States would not be a big problem for me as a public health scientist – as long as dentists are made available. When that said, Kennedy Making Unfounded claims The fact that fluorine causes thyroid disease and cancer does not help inform the real public debate on fluoridation.

I am more focused on whether he maintains the child vaccination plan (for example, against measles, throwing cough and mumps), and whether he is able to bring the United States in accordance with the UK and the EU in terms of what is allowed to be added to food , as we buy from our stores. This may mean saying adios to the artificial food dyes used in grain, such as Froot Loops and Lucky CharmsBut if it means parents can buy food controlled for security for their children and healthier school tunes, it’s a big step forward, no matter who starts it.

• Prof Devi Sridhar is President of Global Public Health at the University of Edinburgh

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