U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) - Bias and Credibility

QUESTIONABLE SOURCE

A questionable source exhibits one or more of the following: extreme bias, consistent promotion of propaganda/conspiracies, poor or no sourcing to credible information, a complete lack of transparency, and/or is fake news. Fake News is the deliberate attempt to publish hoaxes and/or disinformation for profit or influence (Learn More). Sources listed in the Questionable Category may be very untrustworthy and should be fact-checked on a per-article basis. Please note sources on this list are not considered fake news unless specifically written in the reasoning section for that source. See all Questionable sources.

Overall, we rate the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as Questionable / Mixed due to leadership under Robert F. Kennedy Jr. promoting pseudoscientific and ideologically driven positions. While the agency still produces factual content, reliance on scientific expertise has been undermined.

Detailed Report

Questionable Reasoning: Pseudoscience, Propaganda, Poor Sources, Numerous False Claims
Bias Rating: RIGHT (6.7)
Factual Reporting: MIXED (6.1)
Country: USA
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rank: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Organization/Foundation/Government
Traffic/Popularity: High Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: LOW CREDIBILITY

History

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) was established in 1980, succeeding the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. Its mission is to enhance the health and well-being of Americans through public health programs, regulation, and services. Traditionally, HHS has been a pro-science, evidence-based agency.

In 2025, President Donald Trump appointed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) as Secretary of HHS. Kennedy, long known for vaccine skepticism, has since overseen major reorganizations, staffing cuts, and controversial policy changes.

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Funded by / Ownership

HHS is a government entity funded through federal appropriations, which means that Congress allocates a specific amount of money to HHS each year through the federal budget process. It operates under the executive branch of the U.S. government, with leadership appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

Analysis / Bias

As a federal agency, HHS historically aimed to provide non-partisan, evidence-based health and human services information. Its communications are designed to inform the public about health policies, programs, and services without political bias. For example, the department’s website offers resources on topics like health insurance, public health, and emergency preparedness, presenting data and guidelines based on scientific research and public health expertise.

However, under RFK Jr.’s leadership, concerns about pseudoscience have grown:

Vaccine policy interference: Former CDC officials testified that RFK Jr. pressured them to alter vaccine guidance without sufficient evidence; one was fired for resisting
MAHA Report problems: The “Make America Healthy Again” report contained errors, non-existent citations, and misleading claims, raising alarms about scientific rigor.
Gender-affirming care report: A controversial HHS-commissioned study on pediatric gender dysphoria was condemned by major medical associations for misrepresenting evidence and promoting practices akin to conversion therapy.
Public health backlash: Over 700 health professionals signed an open letter urging RFK Jr.’s removal, calling his leadership a “threat to public health”.
Restructuring and cuts: A 2025 HHS reorganization led to workforce reductions at the CDC and FDA, potentially weakening scientific oversight.
Tylenol Autism connection: HHS claims that an ingredient in Tylenol used during pregnancy may cause autism. There is no evidence to support this claim. During this same press conference President Trump said that childhood vaccine schedules should be based on what “he feels.”

These issues suggest HHS is no longer strictly pro-science. While much of its output remains factual and useful, leadership influence introduces bias risk toward pseudoscience and vaccine skepticism.

Failed Fact Checks

As secretary of HHS, RFK Jr. has already made a dozen+ false claims.

Overall, we rate the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as Questionable / Mixed due to leadership under Robert F. Kennedy Jr. promoting pseudoscientific and ideologically driven positions. While the agency still produces factual content, reliance on scientific expertise has been undermined. (M. Huitsing 12/01/2024) Updated (09/23/2025)

Source: https://www.hhs.gov/

Last Updated on September 23, 2025 by Media Bias Fact Check