Health Policy in the 2024 Presidential Election
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, candidates and voters are primarily focused on issues such as the economy, immigration, and abortion. However, a recent statement by former President Donald J. Trump has unexpectedly thrust health policy into the spotlight. Trump’s commitment to allow Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to take the reins on health discussions has reignited conversations around three significant health policies: fluoridated water, vaccines, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly known as Obamacare. This program has provided health coverage to nearly 50 million Americans over the past decade.
While Trump would have limited power to enact substantial changes in these areas, especially without Republican control of both houses of Congress, the influence of the presidential platform could amplify these discussions. Here’s an overview of the three key health issues:
Fluoride
Recently, Mr. Kennedy took to social media to assert that if Trump were to be elected president, he would recommend that communities cease the addition of fluoride to drinking water. Kennedy has characterized fluoride as “an industrial waste linked to a range of health issues including arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ reduction, neurodevelopmental disorders, and thyroid disease.” In a subsequent interview with NBC News, Trump expressed that the notion of eliminating fluoridation “sounds acceptable to me.”
What is fluoride and why is it present in our drinking water?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in water but can also be a byproduct of industrial processes. The practice of adding fluoride to public water systems began as an experiment in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1945, initiated by a dentist at the National Institutes of Health who hypothesized that it could help prevent tooth decay. Over the subsequent 11 years, the rate of tooth decay in Grand Rapids decreased by an impressive 60%.
As of 2022, over 209 million individuals, representing 72.3% of the U.S. population served by public water supplies, were benefiting from fluoridated water, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC considers water fluoridation to be among the “10 great public health achievements of the 20th century.”
What do health experts say about fluoride?
Health experts generally agree that while fluoride can be beneficial, excessive exposure over prolonged periods may lead to various health complications. Some of the risks associated with overexposure include:
- Dental fluorosis: A condition that results in discolored or pitted teeth.
- Skeletal fluorosis: This condition can lead to joint pain and increase the risk of osteoporosis.
- Lower IQ in children: Studies have suggested a correlation between high fluoride exposure and reduced cognitive abilities in young children.
