Trump's Surgeon General Nominee Faces Backlash Over Alternative Medicine Promotions, Financial Ties to Supplement Industry
Casey Means, a wellness influencer and entrepreneur, has been nominated by President Donald Trump as the country's new surgeon general. Medical experts are expressing deep concern over her lack of traditional medical experience, anti-vaccine sentiments, and advocacy for unproven "functional medicine" practices.
Means' background is largely in promoting alternative health and wellness methods, including energy healing, raw milk consumption, and the use of continuous glucose monitors for those without diabetes. She has also invested in companies such as Altria Group and Philip Morris International, two tobacco giants that have been linked to increased rates of smoking-related illnesses.
Critics argue that Means' nomination would bring "flaky" wellness influencing ideas to the nation's top public health post. Dr. Ryan Marino, a board-certified physician and associate professor at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, notes that her advocacy for functional medicine is "a euphemism for unproven and disproven practices."
Means has faced criticism over her views on vaccines, which she claims are not necessary or safe. She has also been accused of promoting products without clear evidence of their benefits.
The surgeon general's role involves communicating with the public about health issues, writing reports on key topics, and providing policy recommendations. Critics warn that Means' influence could lead to a promotion of pseudoscientific ideas, such as energy healing or raw milk consumption, which have not been proven effective in preventing disease.
Peter Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, expresses concern that Means' nomination would result in reports that promote alternative medicine theories without clear scientific evidence.
The role also involves leveraging the influence of the secretary of Health and Human Services to push forward policy agendas. Lurie notes that Means is closely affiliated with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has a history of pushing back on career doctors and bureaucrats at the department he heads.
Critics warn that Means' vision for a dominant organic food system in the United States could lead to higher prices, environmental degradation, and the promotion of unproven health benefits.
Means did not respond to requests for comment.
Casey Means, a wellness influencer and entrepreneur, has been nominated by President Donald Trump as the country's new surgeon general. Medical experts are expressing deep concern over her lack of traditional medical experience, anti-vaccine sentiments, and advocacy for unproven "functional medicine" practices.
Means' background is largely in promoting alternative health and wellness methods, including energy healing, raw milk consumption, and the use of continuous glucose monitors for those without diabetes. She has also invested in companies such as Altria Group and Philip Morris International, two tobacco giants that have been linked to increased rates of smoking-related illnesses.
Critics argue that Means' nomination would bring "flaky" wellness influencing ideas to the nation's top public health post. Dr. Ryan Marino, a board-certified physician and associate professor at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, notes that her advocacy for functional medicine is "a euphemism for unproven and disproven practices."
Means has faced criticism over her views on vaccines, which she claims are not necessary or safe. She has also been accused of promoting products without clear evidence of their benefits.
The surgeon general's role involves communicating with the public about health issues, writing reports on key topics, and providing policy recommendations. Critics warn that Means' influence could lead to a promotion of pseudoscientific ideas, such as energy healing or raw milk consumption, which have not been proven effective in preventing disease.
Peter Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, expresses concern that Means' nomination would result in reports that promote alternative medicine theories without clear scientific evidence.
The role also involves leveraging the influence of the secretary of Health and Human Services to push forward policy agendas. Lurie notes that Means is closely affiliated with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has a history of pushing back on career doctors and bureaucrats at the department he heads.
Critics warn that Means' vision for a dominant organic food system in the United States could lead to higher prices, environmental degradation, and the promotion of unproven health benefits.
Means did not respond to requests for comment.
. I mean, come on, who's vetting these candidates? The fact that she's got no medical background but's been making a killing off alternative medicine is just red flag after red flag 
. And then you've got her financial ties to big tobacco companies... it's like she's being bought and paid for 
. I'm all for exploring new ideas, but when we're talking about our public health, we need people who know what they're talking about 
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. I mean, energy healing and raw milk consumption? That stuff doesn't even pass the sniff test 
. We need people in positions of power who are grounded in science, not just peddling pseudoscience to gullible folks 
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. I'm all for a more holistic approach to health, but we need to be careful not to confuse that with actual science 
. This whole thing feels like a recipe for disaster 
.
she's all about promoting holistic wellness and giving people the tools they need to take control of their own health... but like, isn't that exactly what we need more of? 
at the same time though, how can we trust her expertise on public health when she's got ties to tobacco companies? 
it's like, doesn't that kinda contradict everything she's trying to promote? 
is it possible we're just too jaded on the whole "alternative medicine" scene? 
. And let's not forget about her financial ties to tobacco companies – that's a major conflict of interest in my book 
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. She's all about promoting alternative medicine that's basically just pseudoscience 
. I mean, have you seen her Instagram posts? They're full of unproven remedies like energy healing and raw milk consumption 
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. She's got ties to tobacco companies, which is already a huge red flag 
. And let's not forget about her views on vaccines - it's like she thinks they're some kind of scam 
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. It sounds great on paper, but we need to think about the economic and environmental implications 
. Not to mention, some of these alternative practices have been proven ineffective or even harmful 
It's about time we shake things up in the healthcare world and bring some fresh perspectives to the table. Plus, her connections to tobacco giants are just a minor detail 
(just kidding, it's not). I think Casey Means would be an amazing Surgeon General – she's all about spreading positivity and "wellness vibes" 
!
I don't think we should be worried about some alternative medicine guru taking over our surgeon general position. Like what's wrong with trying new things? But when it comes down to actual medical expertise, i think there are more qualified people out there...and shouldn't that be the priority? 
and her hair looks so good 
i also dont get why we cant just eat whatever we want and be fine, like raw milk is supposed to be better for you or something 
does that make sense?
i mean i get it like she has experience with wellness and stuff but surgeon general? that's a big deal 
shouldn't she have some actual medical background tho? 
Altria Group and Philip Morris International are like, tobacco giants 
. It's not a good look for the surgeon general role.
. Meanwhile, an increase in smoking-related illnesses is linked to an estimated 480,000 to 1.2 million deaths annually 
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. I mean, what about the folks who actually need real medical care? 
. I mean, what's next? Getting rid of the CDC and letting energy healers run the show? 
This is exactly what we don't need – more snake oil salesmen in charge of our health! 
Casey Means has a history of promoting stuff that's not backed by evidence, and now she's being given the power to shape public policy? No thank you 
. We deserve better than someone who thinks vaccines are bad news 
. And let's not forget about her association with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., he's got a history of going after medical professionals who don't see things his way 
. I'm starting to think this whole thing is just a setup for someone big to get in and push their own agenda 
my grandma had friends who are actually dying from vaccine-related illnesses because they refused to get vaccinated... this is a huge concern 
No way, no how. We need a doctor with some actual experience and knowledge to be leading our nation's health. This is just gonna lead to more people getting sick because they're following some woo-woo advice. 
. we need someone with actual medical experience, not some wellness guru 
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It's not backed by science, fam! And now she's nom'd for a role where she'll be promoting health ideas to the public? Like, no thanks 
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