Kennedy visits tribes, but Healthy Tribes program faces cuts

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. toured tribal communities in Arizona and New Mexico last week, emphasizing his focus on chronic disease prevention. However, the CDC’s Healthy Tribes program—an initiative integrating traditional Native medicine and foods—has seen major staff cuts. According to tribal leaders and health advocates, the layoffs jeopardize tribal health services and may violate federal trust responsibilities. Kennedy did not publicly address the program during his visits.