MAHA Report on Child Health Released

The Make America Healthy Again Commission on May 22 released its anticipated report on the health of America’s children, largely focusing on ultra-processed foods, chemical exposure and overuse of medication as underlying causes of chronic childhood illness. Among the “Make Our Children Healthy Again Assessment” charges, it cited a 1,400% increase in antidepressant prescriptions for American adolescents between 1987 and 2014. The assessment found four potential drivers behind the rise in childhood chronic disease that present the clearest opportunities for progress as:

• Poor Diet: The American diet has shifted dramatically toward ultra-processed foods (UPFs), leading to nutrient depletion, increased caloric intake, and exposure to harmful additives. Nearly 70% of children’s calories now come from UPFs, contributing to obesity, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.
• Aggregation of Environmental Chemicals: Children are exposed to an increasing number of synthetic chemicals, some of which have been linked to developmental issues and chronic disease. The current regulatory framework should be continually evaluated to ensure that chemicals and other exposures do not interact together to pose a threat to the health of our children.
• Lack of Physical Activity and Chronic Stress: American children are experiencing unprecedented levels of inactivity, screen use, sleep deprivation, and chronic stress. These 5 factors significantly contribute to the rise in chronic diseases and mental health challenges.
• Overmedicalization: There is a concerning trend of overprescribing medications to children, often driven by conflicts of interest in medical research, regulation, and practice. This has led to unnecessary treatments and long-term health risks.

Under the leadership of U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the commission now has roughly 80 days to craft a government strategy to respond to the findings.