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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has released a report identifying four primary factors contributing to the chronic disease crisis affecting approximately 40% of American children.
This report, issued by the Make America Healthy Again Commission and established by President Trump, aims to address the increasing prevalence of conditions such as obesity, autism, cancer, mental health issues, and allergies among the nation’s youth.
Kennedy’s report outlines the following four potential causes:
1) Poor Diet: The consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) has become prevalent, with these high-calorie, low-nutrient items comprising about 70% of children’s diets in the U.S., a stark contrast to 10–31% in countries like Portugal, Italy, and France. These foods often contain ingredients that were uncommon a century ago, including processed grains, sugars, and fats.
2) Environmental Chemicals: Children are increasingly exposed to harmful substances such as heavy metals, pesticides, microplastics, and chemicals found in cleaning products and cosmetics. Additionally, electromagnetic radiation from devices like mobile phones and laptops is a growing concern.
3) Lack of Physical Activity: Modern lifestyles have led to more sedentary behavior among children. Increased screen time has reduced opportunities for physical activities like biking to school or playing during recess, contributing to physical and mental health challenges.
4) Overmedicalization: Approximately 20% of U.S. children are on prescription medications, including treatments for ADHD, depression, and other conditions. The long-term effects of such widespread medication use are not fully understood, raising concerns about potential contributions to chronic health issues.
The Make America Healthy Again Commission, chaired by Kennedy, includes members from various federal departments and agencies. The commission’s goal is to propose policy measures to address these challenges and improve the health of America’s youth. Kennedy seeks a comprehensive approach to reverse the trend of increasing chronic diseases among children.
Here is the official Make America Healthy Again Report released under the leadership of @SecKennedyhttps://t.co/Xem2B1K5YI
— Jamel Holley (@jamelholley) May 22, 2025
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