To the United States Senators of the 119th Congress:
We, the undersigned physicians, citizens of Brazil and Latin American countries, write to urge you to seize this historic opportunity to address the United States’ chronic disease crisis by confirm Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The stakes could not be higher. The chronic disease epidemic now threatens our nation’s future—undermining human capital, compromising national security, and straining our economy to the breaking point. In the early 1980s, fewer than 13% of U.S. children suffered from a chronic condition. Today, that figure has soared to nearly 60%, and an alarming 77% of young adults are ineligible for military service due to health issues. Chronic disease and mental health now account for 90% of the nation’s $4.3 trillion in annual healthcare expenditures. These trends are not just unsustainable—they are existential.
This letter reflects the collective voice of physicians and medical professionals committed to reversing these devastating trends. We believe Robert F. Kennedy Jr. possesses the vision, integrity, and leadership essential for this critical moment in public health. His unwavering commitment to scientific transparency and his determination to address the root causes of illness make him uniquely qualified to lead HHS.
Mr. Kennedy’s nomination represents an unparalleled chance to restore the health of the American nation and renews confidence in its healthcare institutions. He has pledged to return federal health agencies to their tradition of evidence-based science, ensuring accountability and transparency at every level. His commonsense policy priorities—including removing harmful substances from our food, water, and medicines—are grounded in the urgent need to combat the chronic disease epidemic and to Make America Healthy Again.
America stands at a crossroads. The conventional approaches of the past have failed to reverse our declining health outcomes. By confirming Mr. Kennedy, you will empower a leader prepared to tackle these challenges head-on, delivering the bold, systemic reforms our public health system desperately needs.
As Mr. Kennedy has so aptly stated: “Ultimately, the only thing that will save our country and our children is if we choose to love our kids more than we hate each other.” We urge you to put our children, families, and nation first by confirming Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services.
With the hope that the improvements and advances in people’s health and the proper value of human beings can extend to other Latin American citizens and the world at large.
Sincerely,
Médicos Pela Vida Latino-América
Doctors for Life Latin America
Antonio Jordão de Oliveira Neto
President Medicos Pela Vida / Presidente Médicos Pela Vida
Brazil
Carlos Nigro
Vice President Medicos Pela Vida / Vice Presidente Médicos Pela Vida
Brazil
Ana Cristina C. L. Malheiros Ferretti
Cordinator Medicos Pela Vida / Coordenadora Médicos Pela Vida / Coordinadora Medicos Pela Vida
Brazil
Patricia Callisperis
Latin American Coordinator Medicos Pela Vida / Coordenadora América Latina Médicos Pela Vida / Coordinadora América Latina Medicos Pela Vida
Bolivia
Guery Cordero C.
Bolivia
Juan C. Garberi
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Damián Eduardo Pelizzari
Argentina
Maurício E. Quiñonez Mendoza
Ecuador
Atilio Rafael Farina
Paraguay
Taddeo Arnella
Paraguay
Carlos Orozco
Costa Rica
Yanet Valdivia Paredes
Complementary Medicine Coordinator of Essalud Arequipa region / Coordenador de Medicina Complementar da região de Essalud Arequipa / Coordinadora de Medicina Complementaria de Essalud región Arequipa
Peru
Posemoscrowte Irrhoscopt Chagua Payano
Former Member of the Health Commission of the Congress / Ex-Membro da Comissão de Saúde do Congresso / Ex Miembro de la Comisión de Salud del Congreso
Peru
Mario Esparza Mantilla
Peru
Javier Sciuto
Uruguay
Marta Roa de Saltério
Panama
Esteban A. Moralez
Panama
Guilliermo Arana Ruiz
Panama
Ajooru J. Lescano Pomares
Panama
Jose T. Castillero V.
Former Minister of Health and Former Director General of Public Health / Ex-Ministro da Saúde e Ex-Diretor Geral da Saúde Pública /Ex Ministro de Salud y Ex Director General de Salud Pública
Panama
Cándida Luz Franco Lemus DDS
Guatemala
José V. R. Fernández
Chile
Hector Ciavaldini
Venezuela
Raul Pineda Aquino
Mexico
Reyna de Xalapa
Mexico
Claudia Maria Cepeda
Colombia
Maria Teresa Ilari
Nicaragua
Maria Victoria Vendrell Cuixart
Nicaragua