5 key takeaways from highly anticipated MAHA commission report

President Trump's Make America Healthy Again Commission blamed factors including bad diets, chemical exposure and unnecessary medication for causing childhood chronic illness in a highly anticipated report released Thursday.Why it matters: The 68-page document from a panel led by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. seeks to lay out a unifying theory around what's causing conditions like obesity, autoimmune conditions and behavioral disorders in kids.But it was developed in little more than three months and seeks to strike a balance between protecting consumers and promoting economic interests, especially when it comes to pesticides and chemicals commonly used in agriculture. "This is not, in any way, an attack on the American farmers or industry," NIH director Jay Bhattacharya, a member of the commission, told reporters Thursday. "What this is is a commitment to get excellent answers, excellent science, so that we can enable people to do the right thing." The big picture: As with Kennedy's broader health care philosophy, the report blends mainstream ideas with highly controversial elements, including doubts about the current childhood vaccine schedule.Here are the key takeaways:1. Ultra-processed foods. The commission, in the first and longest section, acknowledges that popular snacks and beverages save Americans time and money, but cites research that suggests ultra-processed foods are linked to chronic diseases and says children need more "whole foods." "I think everybody wants to prioritize the ultra-processed food crisis and try to reduce our reliance on ultra-processed foods and try to improve the quality of the food," Kennedy said on Thursday. 2. Chemical exposures. Potential toxins in the environment are a big concern, but the Trump administration is treading lightly. Farm groups worried ahead of the report's release that it would target pesticides like glyphosate, which are widely used in agriculture. "American farmers rely on these products, and actions that further regulate or restrict crop protection tools beyond risk-based and scientific processes set forth by Congress must involve thoughtful consideration of what is necessary for adequate protection, alternatives, and cost of production," the report states.3. More "gold-standard science." The report also portrays research on chemical exposure and chronic disease as a necessary competitive advantage for the U.S. Understanding potential links between chemical exposure and chronic illness "cannot happen through a European regulatory system that stifles growth," the report says. Rather, it should happen through science done by the federal government and "through unleashing private sector innovation."4. Overuse of medicine. The commission calls out kids' "overmedicalization" — and continues to cast doubt on childhood vaccines. It cites a 1,400% increase in antidepressant prescriptions for American adolescents between 1987 and 2014, as well as increased prescribing of stimulants, antibiotics and asthma drugs. Long-term research on the impact of commonly used drugs for kids is limited, but there are "contributory human data that raise important questions" about antidepressants, stimulants and other treatments, the report says. The commission also questions the current U.S. childhood vaccine protocol and says vaccines would benefit from "more rigorous clinical trial designs." Vaccines are already studied in large trials and subject to ongoing safety surveillance. 5. Corporate influence. The role of corporate interests features prominently in the report, despite assurances that it's not anti-industry. Misaligned incentives in federal regulations and significant scientific funding from food, pharmaceutical, tech and chemical companies contribute to the rise of chronic disease, the report claims. Zoom in: The secretaries of agriculture, education and housing, as well as the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and other federal officials, sit on the 14-member commission. White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller is a member, along with Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, who co-authored the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025.What's next: The commission now has about 80 days to create a strategy for how the federal government should respond, per Trump's original February order. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said that updated dietary guidelines will likely be released before this fall. "What you're going to see is a whole new day on dietary guidelines where federal nutrition advice will be sound. It will be simple, and it will be clear," Rollins said.

Comments

World news

WW3 fears stoked as Germany bolsters NATO eastern flank with Baltic Brigade

Express

Delta flight that had to be evacuated amid thick smoke after emergency landing had ‘no oil visible’ in one engine, report shows

about 1 hour ago

Influencer reveals harrowing injuries after being punched in the head by stranger in New York

Independent

Russian tourist caught on video kicking and ‘slamming’ 2-year-old daughter at Florida resort as she was ‘being fussy,’ police say

about 4 hours ago

‘A smile that would light up any room:’ Everything we know about couple gunned down in Washington, D.C.

Independent

Comments

Similar News

5 things to know about this year’s Memorial Cup in Rimouski

China's scathing 5-word verdict as it issues Donald Trump ‘war zone’ warning

Humiliated Kim fuming as new 5,000-ton warship is ‘CRUSHED’ in catastrophic launch during grand unveiling ceremony

Kim Jong-un rages at 'careless criminals' as 5,000-ton North Korean warship capsizes and SINKS in front of his eyes in launch disaster

Stars score 3 PP goals in 5 1/2 minutes early in 3rd, rally to beat Oilers 6-3 in Game 1

I’m raffling my £122k house for £5 a ticket – I’ll make half a million

A suicide car bomber strikes a school bus in southwestern Pakistan, killing 5 people

Germany says it broke up a far-right group that planned attacks. 5 teens have been arrested

Germany says it broke up a far-right group that planned attacks. 5 teens arrested

Brit MP completes record-breaking Everest ascent reaching summit after 5-day dash from UK…& says ‘I won’t climb again’

Trump admin to pay $5 million to Capitol rioter Ashli Babbitt’s family

War hero forced to hide during Jan 6 chaos condemns $5 million payout to rioter’s family

German police arrest a suspect in the attack that injured 5 people outside a bar

Everyone can see the sun in this hot weather scene – but you’re a genius if you spot 5 differences in under 10 seconds

Trump administration reaches $5 million settlement with Capitol rioter Ashli Babbitt’s family: report

The U.K. and the EU announce new deals and renew ties, 5 years after Brexit

5 years since Brexit, are Britain and the EU getting back together?

Mystery of Hitler’s secret tunnel labyrinth in Poland where 5,000 workers died… and no one knows why it was built

Delivering care 5,000 feet in the air: How LifeFlight takes the ER sky-high

Europe's longest road is 5,000 miles long and passes through 10 countries

World news

WW3 fears stoked as Germany bolsters NATO eastern flank with Baltic Brigade

Pope Leo’s impressive gym routine revealed by ex-personal trainer

RFK Jr.'s MAHA report raises concerns about vaccines, American foods and prescription drugs

Delta flight that had to be evacuated amid thick smoke after emergency landing had ‘no oil visible’ in one engine, report shows

Influencer reveals harrowing injuries after being punched in the head by stranger in New York

Amazon is refunding customers for unverified returns dating back to 2018. Here’s what to know

Musk, and his money, leaving politics is upsetting both Democrats and Republicans

D.C. teen accidentally shoots and kills herself while filming social media video, cops say

Howard Lutnick says Trump’s tariffs won’t raise prices (despite Walmart, Nike and others saying they are)

The View has been told to tone done its anti-Trump rhetoric, report claims

JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon says Trump’s tax bill will ‘stabilise things’ - but there’s still one big problem

NYC and Miami among cities that increase security around Jewish facilities in wake of DC shooting

Judge stops the dismantling of the Department of Education and orders rehiring of fired workers

Husband claimed to have returned from errands to find his wife dead. 19 years later, cops say he was the killer

Two Israeli embassy staff fatally shot outside Capital Jewish Museum in Washington DC: Latest updates

Organization of American States under pressure from the US to help quell gang violence in Haiti

Former Florida congressional candidate is sentenced to prison for threatening to kill rival Anna Paulina Luna

Karoline Leavitt gets fiery and doubles down after press questions alleged ‘white genocide’ in South Africa

Woman tried to burn a flea off a dog. Instead, it lit a fire that caused $400K in damage, suit says

Goodbye to the Penny! Treasury Department announces plan to phase out the coin

Nairobi court finds 2 men guilty of aiding al-Shabab militants in 2019 hotel attack

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visits Lithuania to oversee deployment of heavy combat unit

North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un furious as botched destroyer launch cripples navy's rising clout

Foreign Office warning for Brits travelling to Spain this summer

Panic in Turkey as seaside town loved by Brits rocked by rat plague crisis

Trump bill offers newborn babies $1,000 aimed at increasing birthrate

Stellantis delays production of one of its vehicles at Windsor, Ont. plant

Trafficked foreigners found working in Ontario lived in ‘deplorable’ conditions

World junior trial shows court a ‘retraumatizing’ place for complainants: advocate

Should you be mouth taping? What’s driving the viral trend

Man in ski mask accused of taking photos of kids at playground: RCMP

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is now Canada’s 2nd NBA MVP. Here’s how he did it

5 things to know about this year’s Memorial Cup in Rimouski

Kid Cudi testifies that Diddy broke into his home, set Porsche on fire

Winnipeg cops investigate suspicious death at recycling plant

Cavalry FC, Vancouver FC battle to 1-1 draw in 1st leg of Canadian Championship quarterfinal

What&#8217;s behind the WAG renaissance?

The U.S. Economy Is Now Trump Enterprises

Putin amasses troops at border amid chilling Russia peace talk attack warning

Grieving friend reveals harrowing new details over death of Brit mum, 28, who had ‘heart removed’ by Turkish hospital

First pics of homeless man ‘who stabbed stranger at Spain holiday airport in rage over PHONE’ amid rough sleeping crisis

Jay Slater pal Lucy Law is told ‘feds are looking for you’ after she fails to show at inquest…as she’s back in Tenerife

Pope Leo makes first U.S. bishop appointment, names Michael Pham to oversee San Diego diocese

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney signals interest in Trump's Golden Dome defense plan

Pentagon leaker begs Trump for pardon in jailhouse interview, calls himself a ‘patriot’

Russian tourist caught on video kicking and ‘slamming’ 2-year-old daughter at Florida resort as she was ‘being fussy,’ police say

‘A smile that would light up any room:’ Everything we know about couple gunned down in Washington, D.C.

90 truckloads of aid picked up in Gaza after delays at crossing with Israel

Thinking about traveling over Memorial Day weekend? Millions of Americans will have to prepare for rain

CIA guards shoot woman at headquarters hours after gunman killed Jewish couple in DC

Man racing to be by fiancee’s side after she was killed in car wreck dies in a similar tragic crash

Supreme Court derails taxpayer-funded Catholic school in major First Amendment case

Democrats may require 2028 contenders to release full health information after disastrous Biden campaign

Watch Trump and South Africa’s president in tense exchange during Oval Office ambush

Starmer accused by Israel of 'emboldening the forces of terror' after embassy workers killed in Washington DC

What is the Chagos Islands deal and why has it been halted?

What is the Chagos Islands deal? Everything you need to know as Sir Keir Starmer signs agreement

What’s behind the WAG renaissance?