Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is set to roll into the New Hampshire State House in Concord on Friday, May 29, 2026, to roll out a package of federal actions aimed at improving testing, diagnosis and long-term care for Lyme disease. The visit lands just as tick activity and emergency room visits for tick bites are climbing across the Northeast, putting public health officials on edge for another rough season.
As reported by The Boston Globe, Kennedy plans to use his Concord appearance to promote a slate of measures he says will make Lyme testing more reliable and expand care for people with what he calls "invisible illnesses" such as Lyme. According to the Globe, he is expected to be joined by state and federal officials along with advocates at the State House.
What HHS Is Announcing
According to HHS, the department plans to renew the LymeX public-private accelerator, invest in AI-enabled and molecular diagnostics, and roll out "living" evidence guidelines so clinical recommendations can be updated more quickly. "For decades, Americans suffering from Lyme disease have been denied the accurate diagnostics and meaningful care they deserve," Secretary Kennedy said in the release.
How Big The Problem Is
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that roughly 476,000 Americans are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease every year, and federal data show the illness has spread across the entire Northeast and into parts of the upper Midwest. That scale, paired with rising emergency visits for tick bites, is helping drive the federal push for better tests and stronger care pathways, according to the CDC.
Vaccine Race And Research
Researchers are working on vaccines to cut Lyme risk, but the race has been bumpy. One promising candidate ran into trial setbacks that delayed enrollment and timelines. Industry coverage has noted those disruptions in the Pfizer and Valneva program and the continuing need for rigorous clinical validation before a human Lyme vaccine can be widely available, as reported by BioPharma Dive.
Politics And Skepticism
Kennedy’s Lyme push arrives with a political subplot. He has previously promoted a theory that the illness may have been bioengineered, a claim that has attracted scrutiny and spurred proposals for an investigation. Scientific American reported on that controversy, even as local outlets noted that Kennedy convened a December roundtable of patients and clinicians to discuss potential solutions, according to the Concord Monitor.
How To Protect Yourself This Tick Season
Public health officials say prevention is still the frontline strategy. They urge residents to use EPA-registered insect repellents, do full-body tick checks after spending time outdoors, and remove any attached ticks quickly to cut the risk of infection. The CDC offers step-by-step guidance, and HHS has created a Lyme hub that includes patient resources and a clinician locator to help people find experienced providers.
Kennedy’s Concord stop is part of his "Take Back Your Health" tour and will be closely watched by advocates and clinicians who want to see whether the federal announcements turn into better care on the ground. Local reporting says the event will draw state lawmakers, federal health officials and patient advocates to the State House to hear the details, according to the Concord Monitor.
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