Last week, the White House released a report on behalf of the new Make America Healthy Again Commission outlining its views on the causes of chronic disease in children. The MAHA Commission is expected to release policy recommendations to address these drivers later this year. This initial report represents a deeper dive into Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s stance: that our modern environment is making us sick and frequently large corporations are to blame. Key takeaway vbs of the report include the need to leverage technology and vaccinations responsibly, regulating ultra-processed foods, and reducing the use of synthetic chemicals. 

The report focuses on pediatric lifestyle medicine, stating that “today’s children are the sickest generation in American history in terms of chronic disease,” and cites rising rates of obesity, diabetes, loneliness and mental illness as a threat not only to public health, but the country’s economy and military. It also takes aim at social media and technology as one of the biggest causes of worsening mental health. Additionally, it reiterates many of the talking points Kennedy has frequented regarding vaccine use, implying that routine immunizations may be harmful to children. Many scientists have spoken out against this idea, stating that the shots are much safer today than they were decades ago, and are responsible for a sharp drop in childhood mortality rates. Notably, the report doesn’t include Kennedy’s previous comments that vaccines have been responsible for the rise in autism among children. 

A major focus of the report is found in ultra-processed foods and the unbalanced diets of today’s children. Scientists have found that nearly 70% of the calories consumed by children come from these foods, which contribute to a greater risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Many researchers have agreed with the link between these numbers and their harm to children’s health, but we have yet to see recommendations on how the administration plans to address these issues amongst further cuts to government funding around nutrition.  

The report also explores how synthetic chemicals such as pesticides and microplastics may play a role in worsening health. In a Senate hearing last week, Kennedy was pressed by Republican lawmakers representing districts with large agriculture and food manufacturing. They expressed concerns about how greater regulatory requirements could negatively impact farmers. Even with Kennedy’s base urging him to “stand firm” on pesticides, he told Mississippi Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith at the hearing that farmers have nothing to worry about from the report.  

As an organization representing the policy voice of Adventist-affiliated health systems, AHPA will be engaged in efforts to inform the MAHA agenda and support policies that promote whole person health. If you have any recommendations or examples you would like us to include in AHPA’s response, please feel free to contact our team.