By Sriparna Roy and Christy Santhosh
(Reuters) -The United States has objected to the United Nations’ political declaration on non-communicable diseases, with U.S. health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. saying on Thursday it ignored the most pressing health issues.
“The United States will walk away from the declaration, but we will never walk away from the world or our commitment to end chronic disease,” he said at a U.N. General Assembly session.
The declaration, which is expected to be adopted at the ongoing high-level meeting of world leaders in New York, aims to set an ambitious roadmap through 2030 and beyond for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases and for promoting mental health and well-being.
Kennedy said the declaration was filled with controversy and contained “provisions about everything from taxes to oppressive management” from international bodies.
He also criticized the U.N.’s approach as attempting both “too little and too much” and said it was misdirected.
“It exceeds the U.N.’s proper role while ignoring the most pressing health issues, and that’s why the United States will reject it,” he added, without specifying what those health issues were.
The U.N. did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment.
Kennedy called on the international community to come together to combat the “scourge” of ultra-processed food. He said U.S. President Donald Trump wanted to lead the effort globally against such foods and the medical and physical illness associated with it.
“Ultra-processed food is driving chronic disease,” said Kennedy, who has launched a sweeping campaign to curb ultra-processed foods in the U.S., and pushed for clearer labeling and removal of additives such as synthetic food dyes.
Kennedy also criticized the World Health Organization, saying it cannot claim credibility or leadership until it undergoes radical reform. Trump started the year-long process to withdraw the U.S. from the WHO with an executive order on his first day in office in January.
(Reporting by Sriparna Roy and Christy Santhosh in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri and Nia Williams)
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