A newly released government report, spearheaded by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has ignited controversy within the Trump administration, reflecting deeply divisive views on vaccines, the nation’s food supply, pesticides, and prescription drugs.
The much-anticipated “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) report, unveiled Thursday, calls for heightened scrutiny of the childhood vaccine schedule, a review of pesticide use on American crops, and characterizes the nation’s children as both overmedicated and undernourished.
While the 69-page report does not hold the weight of law or official policy, Kennedy stated in a call with reporters that it will serve as the foundation for the MAHA commission’s 100-day plan, aimed at implementation during the remainder of President Donald Trump’s term. Kennedy declined to disclose the report’s authorship. “We will save lives by addressing this chronic disease epidemic head-on; we’re going to save a lot more money in the long run — and even in the short run,” he asserted.
A central point of contention is the report’s call for increased scrutiny of childhood vaccines, despite their proven track record in preventing deadly diseases. The report questions the necessity of school vaccination mandates and suggests more extensive clinical trials, including those using placebos. Kennedy, a vocal vaccine critic with a history of disseminating misinformation, continues to express skepticism about vaccine safety, even amidst a significant measles outbreak. This week, his department moved to restrict U.S. access to COVID-19 vaccines.
The report’s other contentious elements have created divisions within the MAHA commission, straining the politically diverse coalition fostered by Trump and Kennedy. While the report cites European dietary guidelines extensively, Environmental Protection Agency head Lee Zeldin assured that it would not lead to stricter regulations. Instead, he proposed a system of encouraging corporate compliance through “gold-standard science,” rejecting a “European mandate system that stifles growth.”
Despite concerns raised in the report about American food products, Trump Cabinet officials maintain the food supply’s safety. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins dismissed concerns about glyphosate, a commonly used pesticide linked to potential health risks, stating, “The food supply is 100% safe.” This stance contrasts with the report’s concerns and follows pressure from farmers and Republican lawmakers wary of criticism regarding chemical use.
The report also strongly criticizes ultraprocessed foods, which constitute a significant portion of American diets, linking them to adverse health outcomes. Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, a nutrition and policy expert at Tufts University, acknowledged the report’s accurate depiction of the nation’s nutrition crisis but noted the omission of excess salt as a health concern.
The MAHA report calls for extensive National Institutes of Health (NIH) studies on ultraprocessed foods, despite the White House’s proposed budget cuts to the agency. An additional $500 million is requested from Congress for the MAHA initiative. The report also raises concerns about industry-funded research bias, while acknowledging the Trump administration’s budget and staff cuts to health-related programs, including the Environmental Public Health Tracking Program.
The report further addresses concerns about children’s lack of physical activity and prescription drug use, including antibiotics and ADHD medications.
President Trump is expected to address the report later Thursday at the White House.
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