Make America Healthy Again Commission on Chronic Disease Launched
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President Donald Trump has signed an executive order establishing the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission, appointing newly confirmed Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as its chair. The commission aims to address the root causes of chronic diseases, initially focusing on childhood health concerns. The initiative seeks to overhaul national health policy by examining the impact of diet, environmental factors, medical treatments, and corporate influence on public health.
The commission will assess various contributors to chronic disease, including the American food system, exposure to chemicals, and pharmaceutical treatments such as antidepressants, stimulants, and weight-loss drugs. Within 100 days, it will release an assessment of the childhood chronic disease crisis, followed by a strategic report outlining policy recommendations. This move follows recent National Institutes of Health budget cuts, which temporarily lost billions in biomedical research funding before a federal judge blocked the policy shift. The commission will work with agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Department of Veterans Affairs to explore new approaches to healthcare delivery and coverage options.
Kennedy, a vocal critic of the pharmaceutical industry and vaccine mandates, has pledged to reshape the national conversation on health. While his confirmation was controversial, key Senate figures stated they would monitor his adherence to mainstream scientific consensus.
Trump Creates MAHA Commission on Chronic Disease, Chaired by RFK Jr (Tong, Fiercehealthcare, 2/13).
