By LINLEY SANDERS, Related Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s anti-vaccine advocacy is outdoors the mainstream. His earlier statements on abortion may alienate Republicans. However a brand new ballot finds that not all of his controversial well being targets are unpopular — in reality, no less than one has broad assist amongst Democrats and Republicans.
As Kennedy’s Senate affirmation hearings start, his bid to develop into the nation’s prime well being official may depend upon how staunchly he sticks to those private beliefs throughout questioning. He has already softened a few of his long-held views.
He’s going through some skepticism from the general public, in response to a brand new survey from The Related Press-NORC Middle for Public Affairs Analysis. Solely about 3 in 10 US adults approve of President Donald Trump nominating him to be secretary of the Division of Well being and Human Providers. About 4 in 10 disapprove, whereas about one-quarter are both impartial or don’t know sufficient to say.
However he has factors of power, too. Trump’s selection of Kennedy is very standard amongst Republicans: About 6 in 10 approve, in comparison with about 1 in 10 Democrats. And whereas many People disagree with a few of Kennedy’s controversial well being stances — together with beliefs round reevaluating childhood vaccine suggestions and altering pointers round fluoride in consuming water and uncooked milk consumption — a few of his different stances, like reformulating processed meals, are broadly standard.
Right here’s what AP-NORC polling exhibits about which of Kennedy’s priorities are more likely to be standard amongst U.S. adults and which could be much less well-received.
Extra oppose than assist reevaluating extensively used vaccines
Kennedy has lengthy been a vaccine skeptic, and he and Trump have falsely claimed that childhood vaccines are harmful and tied to rising autism charges. His opposition to vaccines is broad, and he has mentioned that “there’s no vaccine that is safe and effective.”
AP-NORC polling means that reevaluating vaccine suggestions can be unpopular with many People.
About 4 in 10 People “strongly” or “somewhat” oppose reconsidering the federal government’s suggestions round extensively used vaccines, just like the flu vaccine, and about 3 in 10 are in favor. One other 3 in 10 People, roughly, are impartial.
Republicans are extra doubtless than Democrats to favor reconsidering authorities suggestions for extensively used vaccines, though their assist isn’t overwhelming. About 4 in 10 Republicans favor reevaluating vaccine suggestions, in contrast with about 2 in 10 Democrats.
Large assist for restrictions on elements in processed meals
One in every of Kennedy’s concepts is standard throughout the board: getting some chemical substances out of processed meals. Kennedy has vowed to ban sure meals components and crack down on ultra-processed meals which can be tied to weight problems and diabetes charges.
About two-thirds of People “somewhat” or “strongly” favor proscribing or reformulating processed meals to take away elements like added sugar or dyes. That is an space the place Democrats and Republicans agree: About 7 in 10 in every group favor the restrictions.
Help is especially excessive amongst U.S. adults with the next family revenue, although analysis from the Nationwide Institutes of Well being has indicated that ultra-processed meals are consumed at greater charges in low-income teams. Roughly 8 in 10 adults with a family revenue of $100,000 or extra per 12 months assist the restrictions, in contrast with about half of People with a family revenue of $30,000 or much less.
Extra oppose than assist eradicating uncooked milk restrictions
Kennedy indicated earlier than the election that he can be eager to finish the Meals and Drug Administration’s “aggressive suppression” of uncooked milk. The FDA and the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention have referred to as uncooked milk one of many “riskiest” meals individuals can devour due to the chance for contamination.
This can be a proposal for which he’d need to do some convincing to get the general public on board. About 4 in 10 U.S. adults “strongly” or “somewhat” oppose eradicating restrictions on the sale of unpasteurized or uncooked milk. About 2 in 10 People favor this concept, with Republicans being extra doubtless than Democrats to be in assist. However even Republicans are break up: About 3 in 10 are in favor, and about 3 in 10 are opposed.
People typically need Medicare and Medicaid to cowl weight reduction medicine
Kennedy has criticized prescription weight reduction medicine like Ozempic, saying higher-quality meals may remedy the weight problems drawback within the U.S., however in December he pivoted, saying the medicine “have a place” in ensuring persons are not overweight, along with way of life modifications.
People see weight reduction medicine as a superb answer for adults who’re overweight. About half of U.S. adults say it’s “very good” or “somewhat good” for adults to make use of weight reduction medicine if they’re fighting weight problems or a weight-related well being situation. And about half additionally favor Medicare and Medicaid masking the price of these medicine if they’re prescribed for weight reduction for individuals with weight problems.
Extra oppose than assist eradicating fluoride from consuming water
Kennedy has mentioned he desires the federal authorities to advise native governments in opposition to placing fluoride of their consuming water. The CDC has mentioned small quantities of added fluoride in consuming water stop cavities and tooth decay.
Extra People are opposed than in favor of eradicating fluoride from consuming water, however many don’t have an opinion on the problem, leaving room for shifts in both course. About 4 in 10 People oppose eradicating fluoride from the water provide, and about one-quarter are in favor. A further one-third are impartial, saying they don’t favor or oppose it. About one-third of independents and Republicans favor it, in contrast with about 2 in 10 Democrats.
The thought of eradicating fluoride from consuming water is especially unpopular with adults 60 and older, and the info means that youthful People could be extra open to it. About half of adults 60 or older oppose eradicating fluoride from the water, in contrast with about 4 in 10 adults between the ages of 30 and 59. Solely about 2 in 10 adults beneath 30 are against this.
Kennedy’s views on abortion could also be at odds with Republicans
Kennedy has beforehand expressed assist for abortion rights, which contradicts the beliefs of lots of the Republican lawmakers who might want to verify him, although he has mentioned that he’ll observe Trump’s directives on the subject.
He’s in a little bit of a bind on the problem. About 6 in 10 voters in November’s election mentioned abortion needs to be authorized in all or most instances, in response to AP VoteCast, a survey of greater than 120,000 voters. About one-third mentioned it needs to be unlawful in all or most cases. However just like the Republican senators who will probably be questioning him, conservative voters see the problem in another way. Amongst Republican voters, about 6 in 10 mentioned abortion needs to be unlawful in no less than “most” instances, and solely about 4 in 10 mentioned it needs to be largely authorized.
The AP-NORC ballot of 1,147 adults was carried out Jan. 9-13, utilizing a pattern drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be consultant of the U.S. inhabitants. The margin of sampling error for adults general is plus or minus 3.9 share factors.
