Fact-Checking RFK Jr.’s Health Claims on Obesity, Medicaid and Fluoride

During the hearing to consider his nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke at length about issues in health and medicine, including the cause of chronic illnesses, Covid-19 and ultraprocessed foods.

Here is a running list of key health claims, fact-checked by our reporters.

Chronic Disease

Mr. Kennedy’s opening statement focused on rising chronic health conditions, saying there was a crisis in children’s health in the United States. Many experts agree — though they disagree about the causes.

Forty percent of children have a chronic health condition, and the figure is higher for adolescents when…