Introduction to the Report
The latest ‘Make America Healthy Again’ report, promised by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to improve the health of America’s children, does not call for significant changes to the government’s food or farming policies. According to a draft document obtained by The Associated Press, the report mostly recommends further studies on chronic diseases, bad air quality, Americans’ diets, and prescription drug use.
Problem Areas Identified
The report identifies four key problem areas that contribute to chronic diseases in the U.S.: poor diet, chemical exposure, lack of physical activity, and overuse of medications. These areas are expected to be the focus of the government’s efforts to improve public health. However, the report’s recommendations have been met with skepticism by some, who argue that they do not go far enough in addressing the root causes of these problems.
Reaction from the Agricultural Industry
Some in the agricultural industry had anticipated the report with concern, fearing it would call for bans or investigations into the use of pesticides and herbicides. However, the report instead calls for an "awareness" campaign to raise confidence in pesticides, which has alleviated some of these concerns. Calley Means, one of Kennedy’s closest advisers, has called for MAHA supporters to work with major farm companies, acknowledging that the "pace of political change" can be frustrating.
Recommendations and Criticisms
The report urges the National Institutes of Health to undertake several studies on Americans’ health, including research on vaccine injury, autism, air quality, water quality, prescription drugs, and nutrition. It also calls for changes to the foods served in schools and hospitals. However, critics argue that these recommendations will be difficult to implement given the Trump administration’s funding cuts, including a 40% cut to the National Institutes of Health’s budget. Kari Hamerschlag, the deputy director of the food and agriculture at the nonprofit Friends of the Earth, has stated that "this is not going to transform our food and farming system" and that "they need to put resources behind their recommendations."
The Road Ahead
The White House has held off on publicly releasing the report, which was submitted to President Donald Trump on Tuesday. The latest report is the policy companion to a "MAHA" report released in May, which was found to have several errors in it. White House spokesman Kush Desai has refused to confirm whether the copy obtained by the Associated Press was a final version, stating that "until officially released by the White House and MAHA Commission, however, any documents purporting to be the second MAHA Report should be considered as nothing more than speculative literature."
Conclusion
The ‘Make America Healthy Again’ report has been met with mixed reactions, with some praising its efforts to raise awareness about key health issues and others criticizing its lack of bold action. As the report’s recommendations are considered and implemented, it remains to be seen whether they will have a significant impact on improving public health in the U.S. Ultimately, the success of the report will depend on the government’s ability to put resources behind its recommendations and make meaningful changes to the food and farming system.
FAQs
Q: What are the four problem areas identified in the report as contributing to chronic diseases in the U.S.?
A: The four problem areas are poor diet, chemical exposure, lack of physical activity, and overuse of medications.
Q: What has been the reaction from the agricultural industry to the report?
A: The agricultural industry had initially been concerned about the report’s potential impact on the use of pesticides and herbicides, but these concerns have been alleviated by the report’s call for an "awareness" campaign to raise confidence in pesticides.
Q: What are some of the criticisms of the report’s recommendations?
A: Critics argue that the recommendations do not go far enough in addressing the root causes of health problems and that they will be difficult to implement given the Trump administration’s funding cuts.
Q: What is the current status of the report’s release?
A: The White House has held off on publicly releasing the report, which was submitted to President Donald Trump on Tuesday.
By AMANDA SEITZ, Associated Press
Originally Published: August 15, 2025 at 2:54 PM EDT
