Trump says he will give RFK Jr. a major health role if he wins the White House. Here's what that means for patients, drugmakers

Donald Trump has said he will give Robert F. Kennedy Jr. , a notorious vaccine skeptic and conspiracy theorist, a major health role if he wins the presidency.

Some health experts said elevating Kennedy , even in an informal Trump administration role, could potentially lead to severe consequences for patients, drugmakers and the nation's public health overall.

Experts said that could potentially look like lower vaccination rates, increases in preventable disease and greater distrust in federal health agencies.

Kennedy 's track record as a vaccine skeptic is extensive.

It would likely be harder for Kennedy to change how vaccines and other treatments are approved, recommended and regulated.

Kennedy is the founder of the nonprofit Children's Health Defense , the most well-funded anti-vaccine organization in the country.

Kennedy has pushed unfounded claims around certain food ingredients and minerals.

Last week , Kennedy proposed advising all U.S. water systems to remove fluoride from drinking water.

Kennedy 's nonprofit falsely links vaccines to chronic diseases.

Chronic diseases are complex conditions that can be caused by multiple factors, USC 's Kanter says.