Confirmed as Secretary of the Health and Human Services (HHS), Kennedy is on a mission to make America healthy again (MAHA). The task will be a monumental undertaking because most Americans are unaware that 1) the United States is ranked as one of the sickest countries on Earth, 2) billion-dollar industries (i.e., pharmaceutical, agriculture, dairy, processed foods) are misinforming and manipulating information to keep the public sick in order to fill their pockets, and 3) the Standard American Diet (SAD) and unhealthy lifestyle choices continue to increase chronic diseases and shorten life expectancy. What makes Kennedy unique is that his promise to MAHA is not just words, unlike the failed promises of former Secretaries of Health and Human Services to improve the health of Americans. His commitment is backed up by decades of experience as a health activist and dedication to the well-being of children through the NGO “Children’s Health Defense,” founded in 2007.
“MAKING AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN” EXECUTIVE ORDER
Overview:
President Donald J. Trump has signed an Executive Order establishing the President’s Make America Healthy Again Commission, chaired by US. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The Commission’s primary goal is to investigate and address the root causes of America’s escalating health crisis, with an initial focus on childhood chronic diseases.
Key Objectives and Timelines:
- Within 100 days: The Commission will produce an assessment summarizing existing knowledge and remaining questions about childhood chronic diseases, including international comparisons.
- Within 180 days: A strategy will be developed based on the findings to improve children’s health.
Main Policy Directives:
- Transparency & Research Integrity – Ensure open access to health data and eliminate conflicts of interest in federally funded research.
- Focus on Root Causes – Prioritize research on why Americans are becoming sick instead of just treating the symptoms of disease.
- Healthier Food Supply – Work with farmers to improve the affordability and quality of food.
- Expanded Treatment & Prevention – Increase flexibility in health coverage for lifestyle-based disease prevention.
The Health Crisis in America:
- Chronic Disease Prevalence: 6 in 10 US adults have at least one chronic condition; 4 in 10 have two or more.
- Declining Life Expectancy: Before COVID, US life expectancy (78.8 years) lagged behind peer nations (82.6 years).
- Cancer Rates: The US has the highest cancer incidence worldwide, with an 88% increase from 1990 to 2021.
- Childhood Health Crisis: This Commission will be nearly 41% of children have at least one chronic condition, with rising rates of autism, obesity, diabetes, and ADHD.
- Military & Economic Impact: 77% of young adults are unfit for military service due to health issues; 90% of the $4.5 trillion US healthcare budget is spent on chronic and mental health conditions.
Restoring Public Trust in Healthcare:
- The Commission will hold public hearings, meetings, and roundtables to engage experts and restore faith in medical institutions.
- Only one-third of Americans trust the US health system, a near-record low.
This Executive Order reaffirms Trump and Kennedy’s commitments to shifting the US healthcare system toward disease prevention, transparency, and improved public health outcomes. We should all feel confident that Kennedy’s selection to fill this vital role will lead to positive changes in US health policies, improving the well-being of Americans of all ages.
