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U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is set to hold a rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, today (January 21) as part of his "Take Back Your Health Tour." The event will take place in the Pennsylvania Capitol Rotunda, starting at 11 a.m., with doors opening at 10 a.m. The rally, known as the "Make America Healthy Again" event, aims to promote recent changes in federal nutrition guidelines.
The new dietary guidelines, unveiled earlier this month, emphasize vegetables and meat while placing whole grains at the bottom of the food pyramid. Kennedy stated, "Protein and healthy fats are essential and were wrongly discouraged in prior dietary guidelines." The changes mark a shift from the previous "MyPlate" model, which recommended a balanced intake of fruits, vegetables, proteins, and grains.
The rally has sparked controversy and will be met with a counter-protest organized by the PA 10th District Network, which opposes Kennedy's health policies. Critics argue that his leadership has weakened public health systems and disrupted vaccine policies. Kennedy has faced backlash for narrowing the list of recommended vaccines for children and altering the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) guidance.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has pledged to protect vaccine access in the state, signing an executive order to establish a state-based vaccine program. The rally in Harrisburg is part of Kennedy's broader efforts to reshape national health policies, despite ongoing criticism and legal challenges from public health groups.