Washington - The once non-partisan US presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (70) is to become Secretary of Health and Human Services in the future US government.

This was announced by President-elect Donald Trump (78) on the online platforms X and Truth Social.

Kennedy will end "the epidemic of chronic disease" and make America healthy again, Trump wrote.

For far too long, citizens had been confronted with deception and disinformation when it came to public health.

Trump had already announced during the election campaign that he would entrust Kennedy with a role in health policy. He would put "the best minds" including Kennedy in charge of improving children's health, Trump had said.

The aim is to halve the number of cases of cancer and depression as well as suicides among children within four years. Trump did not say how this would be achieved.

A few days before the election, Kennedy announced that Trump had promised him "control" of the Department of Health and the Department of Agriculture.

Among other things, he announced that he wanted to make Americans healthier by moving away from the widespread use of pesticides in agriculture.

The lawyer, who once became known as an environmental activist, initially ran as an independent candidate in the presidential election, but then withdrew his candidacy, which was already hopeless.

He switched to the Trump camp, which he could otherwise have cost valuable votes.

The 70-year-old comes from the prominent Kennedy family. He is the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy. He was a Democrat for decades, but then increasingly distanced himself from the party. A declared opponent of vaccination, he is often criticized not only by Democrats but also by members of his family for spreading conspiracy theories and having contacts with far-right politicians.

Following his election victory last week, Trump immediately began to put together his future government team and quickly announced various personnel decisions.

Among other things, he wants to appoint TV presenter Pete Hegseth (44) as head of the Department of Defense, while the ultra-radical former congressman Matt Gaetz (42) is to become Attorney General. The Governor of South Dakota, Kristi Noem (52), is to head the Department of Homeland Security.

Ministerial posts usually have to be confirmed by the Senate. However, Trump has campaigned to circumvent this with an exemption.

The Republican has also announced various advisory posts or high-ranking jobs in the White House that do not require Senate confirmation anyway. He wants to appoint tech billionaire Elon Musk (53) as an external advisor to cut government spending.