How Politics Shape Health Perspectives: Insights from a New Poll on American Views

More than half of Americans, about 59%, disapprove of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy’s job performance. This includes a striking 62% who critique his handling of vaccine policies, according to a recent KFF Tracking Poll. The poll surveyed over 1,300 U.S. adults from September 23 to 29, 2025.

Interestingly, perceptions of Kennedy’s performance often split along party lines. While nearly 7 in 10 Republicans trust him for reliable vaccine information, only 13% of Democrats feel the same way.

This partisan divide mirrors reactions to President Trump’s comments linking Tylenol to autism. In a recent press conference, he claimed a connection. The KFF poll revealed that 56% of Republicans found his statements likely true, while 59% of Democrats deemed them definitely false. To date, there is no scientific proof linking Tylenol to autism.

Another significant finding from the poll is the sharp drop in public trust in the CDC, especially among Democrats and Independents. In the past two years, trust in CDC vaccine information fell by 24% among Democrats.

This trend indicates that political affiliation heavily influences health beliefs. A robust healthcare system is vital for saving lives. However, the growing divide in health opinions poses risks to public health. Messages from health authorities must be clear and consistent to guide citizens effectively. For instance, during a measles outbreak in Texas, mixed signals about treatment led some unvaccinated children to face complications due to misinformation promoted by Kennedy.

The debate on Tylenol and autism exemplifies the dangers of misinformation. The KFF poll also showed that many Americans remain uncertain about the truth of these claims, indicating a lack of clarity in health communication.

Partisan differences can even lead to health disparities. Communities aligned with different parties may adopt health practices that affect vaccine uptake and disease prevention, emphasizing the need for unifying health messages.

The KFF poll highlights these deep divides, showing the challenges public health officials face today. They need to foster dialogue and provide evidence-based information to bridge this gap and restore trust. For further insights on this topic, check out the KFF Tracking Poll here.

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