RFK Jr. 'rejects' a U.N. declaration on non-communicable diseases [View all]

Source: NPR

September 26, 2025 1:03 PM ET



Alison Cox was in the room on Thursday when U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took the mic — and proceeded to throw a monkeywrench into the path of a highly-anticipated United Nations political declaration on non-communicable diseases.

RFK Jr. said the U.S. would "reject it." "It's a massive disappointment to hear a government step away," says Cox, the policy director for NCD Alliance, a global advocacy group.

The declaration that was being considered at the U.N. General Assembly in New York is the culmination of years of work – and five months of formal negotiations – by governments, health experts and members of civil society. It lays out a roadmap for preventing and controlling non-communicable diseases — like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer — and promoting mental health.

RFK Jr. started his remarks by saying how much he cares about addressing these chronic diseases. He then proceeded to object to the U.N. declaration, saying: "The United States will walk away from the declaration, but we will never walk away from the world or our commitment to end chronic disease." "It exceeds the U.N.'s proper role while ignoring the most pressing health issues," he added, although he did not elaborate on what issues he had in mind. HHS did not respond to questions NPR sent requesting an explanation.

Read more: https://www.npr.org/sections/goats-and-soda/2025/09/26/g-s1-90660/rfk-jr-united-nations-noncommunicable-diseases