HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announces Lyme disease initiatives

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., joined by actor and patient advocate Dennis Quaid, has announced new federal initiatives to combat Lyme disease, alpha-gal syndrome, and other tick-borne illnesses. The program focuses on accelerating research, improving diagnostic accuracy, and expanding treatment options for patients.

Kennedy noted that nearly 500,000 Americans are diagnosed with Lyme disease annually, with many others facing misdiagnosis or lack of treatment. To address this, HHS is investing in AI-powered tools to enhance care and enable earlier detection. The department has also collaborated with the LymeX community to bring two improved, FDA-cleared diagnostics to the market.

The initiative aims to reduce Lyme disease cases by 25 percent by 2035. This follows previous efforts, including CDC tick-control pilots and innovation challenges. Additionally, Kennedy encouraged patients to use the Cure ID app to submit treatment histories to assist in real-world data collection and directed individuals to a clinician locator on the HHS website to find experienced providers.