Department of Health & Human Services endorses HRT for women, contradicts itself on vaccines

Today, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is removing the ‘black box’ warning labels on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) used to treat menopausal women. The announcement seemed like it may be rooted in actual science since Kennedy was standing beside FDA Commissioner Dr. Mary Makary at the time.

Together, they explained that millions of women have avoided HRT because studies suggest it can cause cancer. I’ve heard that estrogen may contribute to cancer, but I’ve never looked into it. The blessings of being male, apparently.

Since Kennedy’s views on health are generally worthless, we can only hope Makary is offering sound advice rather than just appeasing his boss. To his credit, Makary seemed to assert his independence by posting on X:

With the exception of vaccines or antibiotics, there’s no medication that can improve the health of women on a population level more than hormone replacement therapy.

I wonder if his Kennedy, who spent much of his adult life questioning vaccines, saw that? And if he did, how lenient he’ll be about being accidentally undermined? If someone working under Donald Trump said something similar, they’d likely be out of a job by sundown. Good thing Makary didn’t recommend acetaminophen for pregnant women and children.

If someone who reported directly to Donald Trump said something so contradictory to Trump, they’d be out of a job by sundown. It’s a good thing for Makary that he didn’t recommend acetaminophen for pregnant women and kids.

I don’t know enough to comment on the medical accuracy of today’s claims, but I’ll be making popcorn while waiting to see whether any leadership changes are coming to the FDA.