Executives' Collaboration with Kennedy on Health Risks

By Michele Gershberg and Michael Erman

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Executives from Pfizer Inc (NYSE:PFE) and Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN) see opportunities to collaborate with U.S. health secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to manage the growing health risks linked to a warming world.

President-elect Donald Trump has dismissed climate change as a hoax and promised to withdraw the U.S. from international climate agreements.

Kennedy, an environmental lawyer nominated to oversee the nation's drug regulation and public health agencies, advocates for a climate policy that appeals to both skeptics and activists. He aims to address chronic illnesses and the consumption of ultra-processed foods that contribute to poor health among Americans.

Vin Gupta, Amazon Pharmacy's Chief Medical Officer, expressed optimism about Kennedy's focus on areas like chronic disease, food safety, and nutrition during a panel discussion at the Reuters NEXT conference in New York. He emphasized the importance of collaboration.

However, Kennedy is also known for promoting doubts about the safety and efficacy of vaccines, which are crucial in combatting infectious diseases.

The rise in global temperatures has exacerbated catastrophic weather events, including tropical storms, wildfires, and extreme heat waves. The World Health Organization estimates that climate change will cause an additional 250,000 deaths per year between 2030 and 2050 due to issues like heat stress, malaria, diarrhea, and under-nutrition.

Caroline Roan, Pfizer's Chief Sustainability Officer, stated that the company aims to work across all political spheres in the U.S., highlighting the potential for finding common ground. She affirmed Pfizer's commitment to driving research for new vaccines and medicines while ensuring global access.

Gupta acknowledged the polarization surrounding climate change in the U.S., noting, "You say the word climate, and maybe half the country turns off… But if you talk about the health impacts of climate change, that actually polls incredibly well." He believes the key opportunity lies in framing the conversation around health effects that resonate across political lines.

To view the live broadcast of the World Stage, go to the Reuters NEXT news page.