The sun is passing through the sandstone arch of window rocks in northeast Arizona, Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
It was his last day of multi-classism, bringing Americans back to a healthy trip, aiming to highlight all aspects of Mr. Kennedy’s fight against chronic diseases, such as healthy school lunches and medical clinics that all adopt a holistic approach to patient care.
Now, the Secretary of Health is strolling with the Navajo National President, the U.S. Council representative and the Acting Director of the Health Agency of India to discuss the challenges of providing high-quality health care to tribal groups. Here, Mr. Kennedy weaves on the desert brush, seemingly strides forward.
Mr. Kennedy left Washington, growing questions about a measles outbreak in West Texas and the firing of thousands of Department of Health and Human Services employees. On the way to the West, he had to stop for the funeral of an unvaccinated 8-year-old girl in Texas on Sunday, the second time a child who died of measles in the outbreak.
At the start of the next day, Mr. Kennedy seemed to be stoic – perhaps even nervous – even his Salt Lake City Health Center, focusing on a nutritious diet. He turned down a bag of fresh groceries on the grounds that his upcoming flight. In the “Training Kitchen”, he put down an ice cube, dribbled Mango Lassi and was expressionless as the medical student reached for the secretary’s food processor without having to cover the lid. (A administrator stopped her in time.)
The student said, “That would be bad.” Finally, Mr. Kennedy smiled.
By Tuesday, Mr. Kennedy got out, wearing a stegosaurus tie, shook hands with Navajo toddlers at a health center near Phoenix as the boy learned to cook blue corn crepes. The Minister of Health poked his head into the refrigerator at the food distribution center, checked the food labels and nodded, and said: “It’s very impressive.”
Mr. Kennedy tried to show off his knowledge of Wampanoag costumes, many of whom resided in the vineyards of Cod and Martha, Massachusetts. (“My family tribe,” he said.) As he spoke from a glittering casino stage, he pointed to the traditional shell bead earrings and necklaces of the tribe’s president and declared: “If you want to know what Wampum originally looked like, she is the work of the museum!” (She gasped.)
At a press conference on school lunch legislation at the Arizona Capitol, Mr. Kennedy was next to dozens of school children, some of whom waved posters marked “cut chemicals” and “dishonor dyes.” There was noisy applause, and a “Go to Bobby!” shouted from behind. At that time, he smiled.
On Wednesday morning, on the hiking trail, Mr. Kennedy caught a glimpse of the role he once showed on the presidential campaign: a man who was adventurous and spiritual, regardless of his popularity—their beliefs were enthusiastic—and they had been by putting their heroin addicts into new extremes.
He was the first to scramble to climb to the peak of the window rock formation, a balanced outline of 1,000 feet above the valley floor.
When it comes to his own struggle with chronic illness, Mr. Kennedy relies on a natural diet and intermittent fasting, as well as routine morning activities including 12-step meetings, fitness hours and meditation. But since he arrived in Washington, he had to give up his favorite ritual every day: hiking with his dog for three miles.
During the trek, officials discussed initiatives such as the Navajo state’s long-term tax on junk food, a plan that was part of legislation passed in 2014 that also eliminated higher taxes on fruits and vegetables and inspired similar policies in neighboring towns. They also talked about the Navajo Agricultural Products industry, a tribal program that sells corn, beans and other products under the “Navajo Pride” brand to support the community.
To end his trip to Southwest State, Mr. Kennedy visited Hozzo College in Gallup, New Mexico, a K-12 school that hosts gardening and cooking activities for families and uses courses to help students plan their own health goals.
Epidemiologists say there are a range of factors driving rates, including genetics, changes in the gut microbiome, and the fact that Americans usually live longer and therefore face new conditions with age.
Mr. Kennedy tends to express these factors, instead focusing on childhood vaccine schedules, psychiatric drugs and other variables, these experts say. But on the tour, Mr. Kennedy focused much of his attention on personal health as a key solution to the crisis.
The secretary’s enthusiasm for large food companies seems to fit more closely than the traditional political left on the right. His battle with artificial food dyes – “Poison” called it “Poison” – is an echo of existing California law, and his school visits are reminiscent of Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Exercise Obesity.
For some, Mr. Kennedy advocates healthy food legislation. Amid a paradoxical moment, the FDA’s extensive layoffs last week include laboratory scientists testing contaminant food; the government has also canceled a key food safety committee and reduced funding for state-based food inspectors.
As Mr. Kennedy promotes the prevention of chronic diseases, critical efforts such as the 29-year-old research program have been eliminated. Representatives of the Navajo Nation Council have been working to get the diabetes medication intercept secretary after he fell from the Hike and unbuttoned her jacket to show a T-shirt with a handwritten phrase: “Save IHS Jobs & Diabetes Program.” (IHS stands for the Federal Agency for Health of India.)
“A subtle message,” she quipped.
Mr. Kennedy assured her that he would talk to his team to see what he could do. She tied her arms to Mr. Kennedy’s—worrying to keep mocha balance—and keeping its entire pathway there.
