Thursday, 31 July 2025

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Announces “One Of The Largest HHS Campaigns In History”


Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the agency is launching a campaign to encourage Americans to utilize wearables.

“Wearables put the power of health back in the hands of the American people. We’re launching one of the largest HHS campaigns in history to encourage their use—so every American can take control of their health, one data point at a time,” RFK Jr. said.

“It’s a key part of our mission to Make America Healthy Again,” he added.

WATCH:

From POLITICO:

The wearable devices have raised ethics concerns, particularly over how the technology tracks and monitors personal health data. This data is often stored in the cloud and could be sold to companies, advertisers or researchers without an individual’s knowledge or consent, according to the Brown University Center for Digital Health. The health information the devices can store is also associated with a high risk of data breaches and identity theft.

And doctors and health experts have mixed views on the potential health benefits of using wearable technology. While some see benefits in monitoring health and empowering patients to take control of their health, some practitioners are concerned about the devices fueling medical anxiety, self-diagnosis and self-medication.

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The health secretary faced immense backlash for the massive advertising campaign.

Per Becker’s Hospital Review:

He contrasted the expense with Ozempic — a diabetes and weight-loss medication that costs over $1,000 per month — and argued that wearables could be a more cost-effective solution.

“If you can achieve the same thing with an $80 wearable, it’s a lot better for the American people,” he said.

Still, experts have flagged concerns about the privacy risks and uneven health benefits of wearable devices. The Brown University Center for Digital Health warns that personal health data collected by these tools can be stored in the cloud and potentially sold to advertisers, companies or researchers without the user’s knowledge. This data can also be vulnerable to breaches and identity theft.


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