Importance Score: 75 / 100 🔴
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has introduced the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) report, shedding light on the rising epidemic of chronic diseases affecting young individuals. This comprehensive analysis highlights concerning trends in youth health.
The report startlingly suggests that three out of four young Americans are reportedly unfit for military service due to increasing rates of obesity, diabetes, and neurological conditions. These findings raise significant concerns about the health and well-being of the nation’s youth.
Experts have stated that this alarming statistic represents a ‘national security issue,’ potentially undermining the U.S.’s capacity to defend against foreign threats. The MAHA report underscores the urgent need to address the underlying causes of these health challenges.
The 60-page document reiterates many of Kennedy’s proposed factors contributing to the country’s health problems, including highly processed foods, environmental contaminants such as pesticides, and insufficient physical activity.
It also critiques the ‘overmedicalization of children,’ with a particularly anticipated and contentious viewpoint involving the reduction of childhood vaccinations.
The report posits that current childhood vaccines have not undergone adequate testing for safety and efficacy—a position contested by most experts.
The Making Our Children Healthy Again assessment, spearheaded by Kennedy and health organization leaders, notably does not offer specific policies or proposed initiatives.
These will instead be presented in a strategy document scheduled for release in August.
Dr. Aseem Malhotra, chief medical advisor to the MAHA Commission, stated that the comprehensive report exposes the chronic illness crisis in America and identifies potential root causes.
A MAHA commission report finds a significant portion of young Americans are medically unfit for military duty due to health concerns such as obesity and diabetes (stock image)
The MAHA commission, led by Robert F Kennedy Jr (pictured), examines the drivers of America’s chronic disease epidemic in children
The Escalation of Chronic Illnesses
‘The well-being of American children is imperiled,’ the report asserts.
Data from the CDC reveals that over 40 percent of the nation’s 73 million children grapple with at least one chronic health condition.
These encompass asthma, allergies, obesity, autoimmune disorders, and behavioral conditions like ADHD.
Notably, over 40 percent of Americans are classified as obese, characterized by a body mass index (BMI) exceeding 30. Additionally, one in five children over the age of six are obese, representing a 270 percent surge since the 1970s.
‘While estimates differ based on the specific conditions factored in, all studies indicate a troubling increase over time,’ the authors noted.
Furthermore, 350,000 children have received a diabetes diagnosis, predominantly type 2. This signifies a 600 percent spike since the 1980s, projected to worsen by 2060 if current trends persist.
The report also highlights a rise in autism cases, mirroring Kennedy’s concerns. Currently, autism affects one in 31 American children, a marked increase from the early 2000s when the figure was closer to one in 150.
Incidence of childhood cancer has also climbed by 40 percent since 1975, and rates of mental health issues like depression have doubled in the past decade.
These converging factors contribute to a situation where 75 percent of Americans aged 17 to 24 are deemed ineligible for military service, ‘posing a threat to our nation’s health, economy, and military readiness.’
Factors Contributing to the Epidemic
Heavily processed foods now account for 70 percent of the US food supply (stock image)
The MAHA commission posits that America’s dependence on heavily processed foods is largely responsible for the upswing in chronic illnesses.
For instance, 70 percent of the food products in the country’s food supply are categorized as highly processed, indicating a high content of added sugars, fats, and artificial additives.
Highly processed foods also constitute 50 percent of the dietary intake of pregnant and newly postpartum mothers, potentially transmitting adverse effects to their offspring.
‘Excessive consumption of UPFs results in depletion of essential micronutrients and dietary fiber while simultaneously increasing the intake of sugars and carbohydrates, thereby negatively impacting overall health,’ the authors explain.
They reference a recent article in Nature Medicine, suggesting that sugary beverages alone may account for 1.2 million new cases of cardiovascular disease and 340,000 deaths globally in 2020 alone.
Furthermore, a review featured in BMJ analyzing data from 10 million adults revealed a correlation between higher consumption of heavily processed foods and 32 adverse health outcomes, including heart conditions, cancer, diabetes, and all-cause mortality.
Artificial additives such as Red 40 have also been linked to hyperactivity in children and an increased number of diagnoses of conditions like ADHD.
MAHA’s health authorities also criticized children’s exposure to environmental contaminants, including pollution, pesticides, microplastics, and ‘forever chemicals.’
Microplastics, in particular, have demonstrated endocrine-disrupting capabilities, which means they can alter the balance of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone.
The authors wrote: ‘Children are particularly susceptible to chemicals during critical stages of development in utero infancy early childhood and puberty.
‘Even minor exposures during critical periods—in utero infancy early childhood and adolescence—can result in developmental delays or permanent harm.’
The Issue of Overmedicalization
Adderall prescriptions have steadily increased over the last 12 years. The figures include prescriptions for both Adderall, brand and generic, in the US
MAHA also cautions that children today are at risk of enduring side effects from being ‘overmedicated.’
They cite that approximately one in five children in the US are estimated to be taking at least one prescription medication in the past 30 days. Rates are highest in teens, with 27 percent using one or more drugs daily.
Prescriptions for stimulants used in the treatment of ADHD have doubled in boys from 2006 to 2022, revealing that one in four boys are being prescribed a stimulant by age 17.
In addition, prescriptions for antidepressants increased 1400 percent from 1987 to 2014, and the use of antipsychotics rose 800 percent from 1995 to 2009.
The experts caution that although much of this increase stems from medical advancements, overmedicalization can induce lasting effects.
Psychiatric drugs are known to trigger seizures and manic episodes, while antidepressants bear the risk of dependence and an increased incidence of suicidal thoughts.
The MAHA commission also criticizes the US childhood vaccine schedule in one of its more controversial positions.
Since 1986, the recommended number of vaccinations for a child by age one has expanded from three to 29, encompassing those administered to pregnant mothers.
Officials express that the US childhood vaccine schedule has increased over the recent decades (stock)
The authors mention that while the number of vaccinations on the current schedule surpass other peer nations, there is a scarcity of data confirming the safety of the U.S. schedule in comparison to other countries.
They also noted that the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) may lack reliability because it trusts patients and doctors to report adverse effects.
‘Many health care professionals do not report to VAERS because they are not mandated to do so or they may not connect the adverse event to vaccination,’ the authors said.
These viewpoints echo those of RFK Jr., who has a history of criticizing vaccines, however has stated that he would not strip away vaccinations.
Nevertheless, health agencies have already revealed plans to research vaccines more deeply, such as CDC research into the disproven theory that vaccines cause autism.
The authors stated, ‘Vaccines benefit children by protecting them from infectious diseases. But as with any medicine vaccines can have side effects that must be balanced against their benefits.
‘Parents should be fully informed of the benefits and risks of vaccines.’