USA: MAHA report blames 'overmedicalisation,' pharma's influence for children's poor health

The White House has released its long-awaited 'MAHA Report' outlining the government’s target areas for addressing childhood chronic disease: diet, environmental chemical exposure, physical activity/stress and “overmedicalization.”

The 68-page report, prepared by the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission—which is chaired by Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—was ordered by President Donald Trump in February.

It serves as an initial assessment for the commission, which now has 82 days to develop a strategy document for realigning federal practices to address the four highlighted factors.

“After a century of costly and ineffective approaches, the federal government will lead a coordinated transformation of our food, health and scientific systems,” the commission wrote of its work in the report. “This strategic realignment will ensure that all Americans—today and in the future—live longer, healthier lives, supported by systems that prioritize prevention, wellbeing and resilience.”

The report’s takeaways largely align with RFK Jr.’s advocacy priorities prior to entering the administration, some of which he and other government heads have already instructed their departments to act on.

In a White House event held hours after the report's release, Trump described the findings around increased incidence of health conditions like obesity (affecting more than one child in five who is over 6 years of age) and autism spectrum disorder (1 in 31 children by age 😎 as "alarming."

"Unlike other administrations, we will not be silenced or intimidated by the corporate lobbyists or special interests," Trump said of the findings and recommendations. "I want this group to do what they have to do. ... In some cases it won't be nice, it won't be pretty, but we have to do it." 

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Source: Fierce Healthcare, 22 May 2025