Nowadays, people all over the world seem to face a turbulent time, with an array of worries, from geopolitical matters to climate change, among other things, weighing on their shoulders.
Women, in particular, have seemingly found themselves in an unsettling position, as many are concerned over certain policies, potential changes, and views regarding women’s health. For many, the situation became even more dire after Robert Francis Kennedy Jr., also known by his initials RFK Jr., was appointed United States Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Led by uncertainty over the future, women took to the internet to share their worries or advice on how best to prepare for the upcoming several years. One internet user addressed the members of the ‘Ask Women Over 30’ community, asking what health-measures she should take to protect herself and prepare for the next four years now that RFK Jr. is confirmed as the health secretary, and quite a few women shared valuable insight, which you can find on the list below.
On the list below, you will also find insight shared by a nationally recognized expert in US reproductive rights law and policy and Director of the American University School of Public Affairs (SPA), Jessica L. Waters, J.D., who was kind enough to answer a few of Bored Panda’s questions.
#1
Consider long term birth control (IUD, implant). Get all your vaccinations now. If your passport is expiring, make sure you renew it QUICKLY. Track your period on a trusted app or old-school calendar style. Eat clean, exercise, and take care of yourself. Prioritize your health.
We have no clue what's going to happen, but if history is correct, this is going to take a lot longer than 4 years to undo.
Image credits: dko11
Discussing the issue of women’s health and governmental decisions in a recent interview with Bored Panda, Jessica L. Waters, J.D., a nationally recognized expert in US reproductive rights law and policy and Director of the American University School of Public Affairs (SPA), suggested that “We need to be prepared that federal government decision-making over the next four years may not be grounded in science or fact.
“Already, we are seeing critical public health data and information disappear from federal websites and seeing critical research stalled or halted completely. This could have potentially devastating effects for public health nationwide (and worldwide)—including in the area of reproductive health.”
The expert shared that over the next four years, she would anticipate:
- “redoubled efforts to take mifepristone (the FDA-approved drug used for medical abortion—which accounts for 60 percent of abortion in the US) off the market
- restrictions on the use of telehealth to provide reproductive health care
- attempts to ban pregnant people from traveling across state lines to obtain abortion care in a state where it is legal
- severe cuts to Title X funding for reproductive health clinics
- attempts to limit access to Plan B
- use of private data in reproductive health-related prosecutions.”
#2
Get your partner's vasectomy scheduled. Why's it always on us?
Image credits: SoulsticeCleaner
#3
As someone who works in digital marketing and with public data, get off any and all period tracker apps. There’s nothing stopping them from giving your data to authorities who are interested in prosecuting women for suspicion of abortions besides a “we pwomise not so sell or give your data to annnnyone else 🥺”
Image credits: watsername
Women’s concern over their health and government decision-making has seemingly become more palpable with the recent change in the health department. As of February this year, Robert Francis Kennedy Jr., nephew of the 35th president of the United States, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, is serving as the 26th United States Secretary of Health and Human Services. Confirmed by the Senate on January 13th, with a 52-48 vote, he became one of the nation’s leading public health officials.
Though, not everyone is happy with the rather controversial pick for the position, as many people are concerned over some of his views, especially regarding vaccines and women’s health. According to the Associated Press (AP) RFK Jr.’s appointment was disapproved by four-in-ten US adults and approved by three-in-ten.
#4
Sterilization if you don't plan on having kids. With childbirth related deaths continuing to climb the gamble just isn't worth it.
Image credits: critiqu3
#5
This needs to be mentioned: organize. Find a local political group and get involved ASAP, anything from local politics, to grassroots campaigns, to volunteering for abortion funds.
I say this because since 2015 I have been seeing people advocate for personal safety measures that will pale in comparison to deep systemic issues. I am *not* saying that personal safety guidelines are useless. They're very very useful. But they can only keep you safe for a short amount of time. Your own personal IUD (which I have; I'm on my second) will not keep you safe if they pass laws against not just abortion but contraception and you need it removed, need it changed, or if it fails and you need an abortion.
Yes, get your passports, get your vaccines, get your birth control, use period tracking methods that cannot be tracked or petitioned by the US (I use the app clue), have emergency savings so that finances do not prevent you from seeking safety, but do not forget that you need to be part of systemic change above all else. .
Image credits: KillTheBoyBand
RFK Jr., who made a name for himself as a successful environmental attorney, has faced criticism for his views on vaccines and the misinformation regarding them; for example, for saying that “autism comes from vaccines” in an interview with Fox News back in 2023.
Moreover, BBC reports that “Kennedy is the founder of the anti-vaccine group Children's Health Defense, which gained prominence in the US for casting doubt on the safety and efficacy of childhood vaccinations and making the discredited claim that the shots are linked to autism.” Though, according to NBC News, during the first confirmation hearing, RFK Jr. said he no longer held a post with the aforementioned group.
#6
This might piss some people off - but if you have weight to lose, this is the time to do it. Just get it done. Go the gym and get strong and improve your health outcomes for your 40’s, 50’s and beyond, because you and I both know we can’t afford diabetes medication. We both know that a positive mammogram result can happen, and you **do not** want to go into chemo without muscle mass.
Our healthcare is about to get even shittier, so we can no longer afford our average BMI of 29 anymore.
Get on long term birth control, if you can. I got the implant. Don’t let the horror stories on the internet scare you, it’s an option if you can’t get through an IUD appointment.
anonymess7:
Same. I know people who have had nightmarish experiences with IUDs, but please do not let one person's experience make the decision for you.
If an IUD is an option, I say go for it! I just got a new one in December. I had another year on my old one, but given the new administration, I figured I’d just get it done now.
This is my third IUD. The first insertion was uncomfortable but fine. Second was a cinch. The removal of the second was a little ugly — my doctor couldn’t get it out and had another doctor do it — but I think that was a doctor-specific problem. The doctor who took it out (and later performed my third insertion) was SO smooth.
Zero downtime on my part. Despite the wonky second removal attempt, I still took the subway home, went to the grocery store, etc.
And I haven’t had a period in about 15 years which doesn't suck.
Image credits: zestfully_clean_
#7
So much of the advice here is generally fantastic. I might be misinformed about how serious this is, but my first thought was to stock up on high fluoride toothpaste like 3M Clinpro Tooth Creme, which you can get off of Amazon (I’m trying to pull away from Amazon as much as I can, but it’s where I’ve managed to find it without the dentist surcharge) for $12. Morons keep talking about removing fluoride from the water and having healthy teeth is crucial to general health.
Edit: Anyone reading this should checkout what u/the_comeback_quagga said in their reply to this. It’s definitely a more informed take on fluoride.
Image credits: ragefulhorse
#8
Get your vaccines! Flu and COVID, and make sure your tetanus is up to date.
Stock up on masks. Bird flu is coming.
Get a pap smear if it’s time. Same for mammogram.
Visit the dentist, ophthalmologist, dermatologist, whatever other specialist you’ve been putting off.
Take steps to improve your overall health and lessen your chances of needing to go to the hospital: eat right, exercise, take a multivitamin.
Ditch any period tracking app you’re using. Use one and pause instead.
Image credits: library_wench
Recently Kennedy has also received backlash for his comments about the measles outbreak in Texas, which, as of March 1st, has taken the life of one child and hospitalized 20 other people. During the first cabinet meeting of the new administration, RFK Jr. has reportedly incorrectly alluded to two deaths and said that measles outbreaks were “not unusual.”
Some doctors disagree, though. CNN reports that at a news conference after the first death of the measles outbreak—the first death of the kind in the country in a decade—Dr. Lara Johnson, the chief medical officer of Covenant Health Lubbock Service Area, noted that “the United States had really gotten to a point where we just didn’t see these kinds of outbreaks happening.
“Obviously, that has changed over the last 20 something years, and so we do see outbreaks more frequently, but that that is related to how much we’re vaccinating our population,” the expert added.
According to the Guardian, just two days after calling the outbreak “not unusual,” RFK Jr. recognized the gravity of the situation, and reportedly took to X (formerly Twitter) to say that “Ending the measles outbreak is a top priority for me and my extraordinary team.”
#9
Get a pap smear and ask for an HPV test too!!! Get a comprehensive STI test. Get your vaccinations re-upped (tetanus anybody?). Go to your dentist and eye doctor. Get long-term birth control. Eat lots of veggies and take at least a 20min walk every day. Renew your passport and get a real ID.
Image credits: dopaminedeficitdiary
#10
When you see your GP get prescriptions for Plan B and other pregnancy related medications because access to those may become limited/non-existent. Even if you don't need those things having them on hand for someone else would be valuable.
Cyber_Punk_87:
Generic Plan B is available over-the-counter and cheap, and the other pregnancy-related medications can be purchased online. How it's bought and delivered might initially feel sketchy, but it works, and the meds come in the mail.
Image credits: FrankaGrimes
#11
Sometimes I wonder if this is overly doomsdaying, but if you have the space, I would start a garden.
I’ve casually grown some of my own food over the past few years, but really want to up that this year. I just feel like who knows what’s going to happen, between deportation, trade wars, and a likely gutting of the FDA, there’s so many elements that could make fresh food unaffordable or unsafe.
Tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, lettuces, cucumbers and Location appropriate fruit trees are usually pretty easy things to grow with no experience. Look up what grows in your area! You can also use an aero garden or similar to grow anything in an apartment.
Image credits: ventricles
Before becoming health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. tried his luck at the 2024 presidential election. But after eventually suspending his campaign, he decided to endorse the current president, who then said that if he was to win, RFK Jr. “will have a big role in health care.” Now that the scenario has become reality, some people, especially women, are worried, fearing what that might mean for women’s health and reproductive rights.
In a press release from February 13, 2025, the National Organization for Women (NOW) condemned the decision to appoint Robert Francis Kennedy Jr. the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, calling it “more than a dangerous mistake”.
“It’s the opening curtain of a tragedy that will take a horrifying toll on millions of Americans—with women and children paying the highest price,” the statement read in part.
“RFK Jr.’s confirmation turns back the clock on public health for women, but we will fight to reset that standard back to where most Americans want and need it to be,” NOW added.
#12
Get your series of hpv vaccines! RFK has long been a vocal critic of vaccines, including the HPV (cervical cancer) vaccine, Gardasil. He has actively campaigned against vaccines while also financially benefiting from lawsuits related to them.
My dad is also anti vax. I was not allowed to get it in school and by the time I got it as an adult I had already contracted one of the high risk cancer strains and am now 31 years old and have pre cervical cancer.
Image credits: peppapigforever12
#13
Eat fruits and veggies and a variety of whole foods.
Don't eat way too much sugar and junk food.
Drink enough water
Walk and move your body
Get good sleep
Take your meds and seek medical care when needed
Cultivate positive, supportive social relationships
Try to manage stress
Don't smoke, don't drink too much, don't get addicted to other d***s either.
Just do your best and try to get lucky, life is complicated and you can't control everything.
All legit health advice I have ever seen boils down to that list. It's easier said than done though. .
Image credits: Alternative_Chart121
#14
If you have the means, then I would suggest to leave the country. This s**t show will only get worse and as long as you're young and free, there's no reason for you to stick around in this circus.
Image credits: hocarestho
The Center for Reproductive Rights also expressed their disapproval of the newly appointed health secretary, pointing to three of his major red flags:
- “Expresses inconsistent and, at times, contradictory views on abortion.
- Wants to ‘minimize the number of abortions that happen every year.’ From Catholic News Agency Interview.
- Has major ties to the anti-science community and founded the leading vaccine disinformation organization.”
According to Media Matters for America, Kennedy also has been linked to a group that works to oppose IVF, which has reportedly labeled it “evil” and “immoral.”
Bearing these red flags and certain comments he has made in mind, it’s no surprise that some women are concerned about what the future might bring. The abortion issue alone can be worrisome enough, and as TIME notes, RFK Jr. hasn’t exactly been consistent with his views regarding it; having expressed support for bodily autonomy in the past, he has now seemingly changed his stance, which Senator Bernie Sanders called a “major U turn” on his beliefs.
Data from 2024, provided by the independent source for health policy research, polling, and news, KFF, found that 63% of women of reproductive age are worried that they or their loved one would not be able to get an abortion if it was needed to preserve their life or health. A similar number of women were concerned that abortion bans “may affect the safety of a potential future pregnancy for themselves or someone close to them.” Unfortunately, the issues remain relevant in 2025.
#15
Make an appointment with your GP as soon as possible and ask for titers for your vaccines. Get vaccinated with whatever is low.
Decentralize your healthcare as much as you can from the "dominate" system. For example, learning CPR/First Aid is going to be useful because our healthcare system has already been crumbling. Learn to take care of minor things at home so you can avoid the ER hassle.
Just in general be proactive about your health. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women and there is a lot you can do to prevent it. Stay in a healthy weight range, do regular strength training, be active, eat well.
EdgeCityRed:
I asked my pharmacist about titers, and the guidelines are pretty simple for vaccines; some are 'lifetime good' (such as the polio vaccine, unless you're over 60, in which case you might need a booster), and some are 'it's been a decade, time for a booster' and they don't need to run titers.
I hadn't gotten a tetanus shot in a while and recently got the TDAP (which is typically given every 10 years). I am not in a risk group needing the MMR vaccine again, but I did take the flu and pneumonia vax.
Image credits: NoLemon5426
#16
Build (or strengthen) a community you can depend on. Not just for help with dealing with all the c**p that’s coming, but one nurtures its members, has space for goofing off and silliness, and genuinely brings positivity to your life.
Image credits: MaIngallsisaracist
#17
Wear a high quality mask (KN95/N95/KF94 or better) when sharing air.
Image credits: ProfessionalOk112
