MAHA Commission Releases Report on ‘Make Our Children Healthy Again’ Strategy

The Make America Healthy Again Commission established by President Donald Trump and chaired by Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has released a report detailing the Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy, a plan involving more than 120 federal government initiatives, to reduce the prevalence of chronic disease in children. Footage of the press conference at which the plan was introduced is available on YouTube.

“The Trump Administration is mobilizing every part of government to confront the childhood chronic disease epidemic,” Kennedy stated. “This strategy represents the most sweeping reform agenda in modern history, realigning our food and health systems, driving education, and unleashing science to protect America’s children and families. We are ending the corporate capture of public health, restoring transparency, and putting gold-standard science, not special interests, at the center of every decision.”

“Today’s MAHA Commission report is another historic milestone for our country and a testament to President Trump’s leadership and commitment to Make America Healthy Again,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “America’s farmers and ranchers are at the heart of the solution, alongside doctors, parents, and communities, to fight chronic disease and protect future generations. Under this Administration, we are not just talking about healthy outcomes; we are delivering them by securing voluntary commitments to remove artificial food dye from major brands, providing technical assistance to States interested in restricting junk food and soda from SNAP, and providing growers with new tools to maintain and improve soil health, including the introduction of a regenerative farming practice pilot program. Together with our partners at HHS and EPA, we are charting a new course, strengthening the health of our families, and ensuring the United States leads the world with the safest, strongest, and most abundant food supply.”

Research, Policy Reforms, Deregulation, and Private Sector Partnerships

The MAHA Commission listed several key focus areas of the strategy.

It intends to expand NIH and agency research into chronic disease prevention, nutrition and metabolic health, food quality, environmental exposures, autism, the gut microbiome, agriculture, rural and tribal health, vaccine injury, and mental health.

The plan calls for a number of executive actions to reform dietary guidelines; define ultra-processed foods; remove the GRAS (generally recognized as safe) self-affirmation pathway to market; raise infant formula standards; remove harmful chemicals from the food supply; increase oversight and enforcement of direct-to-consumer prescription drug advertising laws; improve food served in schools, in hospitals, and to veterans; and reform Medicaid quality metrics to measure health outcomes.

Additionally, the plan calls for a number of reforms and deregulatory actions. This includes measures to: reduce barriers to farm-to-school programs and direct-to-consumer sales; eliminate restrictions on whole milk sales in schools; support mobile grocery and processing units; reform U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drug and device approval; and accelerate approvals for agricultural products.

The plan also calls for the launch of new school-based nutrition and fitness campaigns; Surgeon General initiatives on screen time; campaigns on pediatric mental health; and expanded access to nutrition and health information for parents.

The plan calls for increased collaboration with the private sector on a voluntary basis to promote awareness of healthier meals, soil health and land stewardship, community initiatives, and more.

“Protecting human health and the environment while empowering America’s comeback isn’t just about serving Americans today, it’s about ensuring future generations inherit clean air, land, water, and the foundation for healthy lives,” stated EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “The Make America Healthy Again strategy outlines the keys to success from pro-growth policies that advance research and drive innovation to private sector collaboration and increased public awareness. I look forward to continuing to work collaboratively across the federal family to ensure our kids and our environment are protected.”

“For too long, healthcare has used a reactive approach to chronic diseases,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, MD. “I am pleased to support the findings of the MAHA commission and to promote a more proactive approach, tackling root causes undermining the health and happiness of American children.”

CRN: Supplements Have a Part to Play

The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) stated that it welcomes the attention that the plan brings to nutrition, and its connection to disease prevention, however noting that the perfectly nutritious diet is “elusive” for most Americans without the inclusion of dietary supplements.

“For decades, CRN has underscored the importance of supplements for closing nutrient gaps, supporting healthier pregnancies, and helping consumers extend their healthspan and maintain overall wellness,” the association representing the dietary supplements industry stated. CRN intends to work with the MAHA Commission to “ensure supplements are given appropriate regulatory attention” in nutrition initiatives.

Specifically, CRN will advocate for supplements to be included in nutrition education efforts, as well as in coverage of programs like SNAP or healthcare savings tools like Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).

CRN stands ready to collaborate with policymakers, health professionals, and industry partners so that the conversation about nutrition includes the full range of tools – diet, functional foods, and supplements – that can help improve health outcomes and reduce long-term healthcare costs.