Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s claim he can diagnose children's health issues by sight fuels speculation about his 2010 brain parasite's lasting impact.
The remarks came during an 27 August 2025, Texas press briefing with Governor Greg Abbott, celebrating the 'Make America Healthy Again' bill to curb childhood obesity via food labeling and SNAP restrictions. Kennedy, lacking a medical degree, asserted he spots 'overburdened' kids in airports through 'their faces, body movement, and lack of social connection.'
Experts slammed the claim as pseudoscience. Dr. Peter Hotez of Baylor College of Medicine called it 'dangerous quackery,' stressing that mitochondrial disorders require lab tests, not casual glances.
The incident brought to light Kennedy's 2010 brain scan which revealed a pork tapeworm cyst (Taenia solium), likely from travels, which caused memory fog, per a 2012 deposition in The New York Times.
RFK Jr.'s Brain Worm: How 2010 Parasite Infection Sparked Health Questions
There is no evidence in 2025 to suggest ongoing effects from Kennedy's parasite, which was treated without surgery. According to Dr Clinton White, a parasitologist, neurocysticercosis usually causes seizures but does not result in lasting cognitive problems if addressed early. Kennedy has reported recovering through lifestyle changes, including avoiding fish high in mercury.
Neurologists like Dr. Simon Groen clarified the worm doesn't 'eat' brain tissue; 'The parasite larvae reach the brain via the circulatory system, then produce a cyst that displaces the surrounding tissues'
Kennedy himself joked in 2024: 'I offer to eat 5 more brain worms and still beat Trump and Biden in a debate.' Yet, as HHS Secretary since February 2025, his policies, like halting the mRNA vaccine projects, have drawn lawsuits from the American Academy of Pediatrics for bypassing scientific review.
Diagnosing Kids Without Credentials: RFK Jr.'s Latest Pseudoscience Sparks Outrage
In Texas, Kennedy misstated autism rates at 'one in 25' (CDC: 1 in 36) and teen diabetes at 38% (actual: 0.35%, per CDC). 'I never saw diabetes or autism growing up,' he claimed, ignoring improved diagnostics.
The American Medical Association warns such rhetoric harms trust, especially with 2025's measles outbreak tied to vaccine hesitancy, kindergarten vaccination rates fell to 91%, below the 95% herd immunity threshold (CDC). A 2025 Gallup poll found only 40% see childhood vaccines as 'extremely important,' down from 64% in 2001.
Key health statistics:
- Autism: 1 in 36 children (CDC 2023, stable in 2025).
- Childhood obesity: 19.7% (CDC 2024), driven by diet, not 'toxins.'
- Vaccines: Saved 1.1 million U.S. child lives since 1994 (CDC).
Public Backlash on X: RFK Jr.'s Claims Fuel Mistrust in 2025
On X, Kennedy's remarks drew fire. @Acyn's clip of his speech hit 12 million views, captioned 'I'm looking at kids as I walk through the airports today'
RFK JR: I’m looking at kids as I walk through the airports today...and I see these kids that are just overburdened with mitochondrial challenges, inflammation—you can tell from their faces, movements, and lack of social connection pic.twitter.com/svfdIqAntK
— Acyn (@Acyn) August 27, 2025
@DrNeilStone warned: "RFK Jr wants to turn the US into a place where worm pills treat cancer." These reflect public alarm over health misinformation in 2025.
RFK Jr wants to turn the US from the most scientifically advanced nation in the history of the world into a place where people take worm pills to treat cancer because their neighbour heard it works
— Neil Stone (@DrNeilStone) August 7, 2025
Kennedy's parasite may be history, but his baseless claims as HHS Secretary threaten public health, contradicting CDC data and fueling 2025's vaccine hesitancy crisis.
If any, Kennedy's outrageous statements bring to light continuous public distrust of officials who don't seem to be qualified for the job. For context, a March 2025 Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health/de Beaumont Foundation poll shows 44% of Americans anticipate losing trust in public health recommendations due to federal leadership changes, compared with 28% who expect to gain trust, reflecting growing partisan skepticism toward figures like RFK Jr. in HHS, fueling doubts about Kennedy's his role.
