WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump has announced the creation of the Make America Healthy Again Commission, a federal initiative aimed at addressing rising rates of chronic disease, obesity, and mental health disorders among Americans—particularly children.
In an executive order issued this week, Trump cited alarming health statistics as the driving force behind the initiative, emphasizing that the U.S. lags behind other developed nations in key health metrics.
A Growing Health Crisis
According to the order, six in ten Americans suffer from at least one chronic illness, while four in ten have two or more. Mental health issues are also on the rise, with an estimated one in five U.S. adults living with a mental illness.
Trump noted that the U.S. saw the highest global increase in cancer cases between 1990 and 2021 and that conditions like asthma, autism, and autoimmune diseases are more prevalent in the country compared to other high-income nations.
The situation is particularly dire among children. The order highlights that:
- 40% of U.S. children have at least one health condition, such as allergies or asthma.
- 1 in 36 children is diagnosed with autism, a dramatic increase from past decades.
- Nearly 30% of adolescents are prediabetic.
- Over 40% of U.S. adolescents are overweight or obese.
“This poses a dire threat to the American people and our way of life,” Trump stated, noting that 77% of young adults are unfit for military service due to health issues.
Goals of the Commission
The newly established commission will be chaired by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and include top officials from various agencies, such as the Department of Agriculture, the CDC, the FDA, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Its initial focus will be on childhood chronic disease, with a mission to:
- Investigate potential causes, including diet, environmental factors, and overprescription of medication.
- Increase public awareness through transparent reporting.
- Recommend policy changes to prevent and reduce chronic diseases in children.
Within 100 days, the commission must submit an initial report, the “Make Our Children Healthy Again Assessment,” analyzing childhood disease trends and potential contributing factors. Within 180 days, it will deliver a strategic plan outlining solutions.
Reforming Federal Health Policies
The order also calls for greater transparency in federally funded health research and an end to conflicts of interest in medical and scientific recommendations. It directs federal agencies to prioritize:
- Research into the root causes of chronic diseases.
- Healthier food production in collaboration with farmers.
- Increased flexibility in health insurance policies to support preventive care and lifestyle changes rather than just disease management.
Trump emphasized that America’s declining health is not just a medical issue, but a national security and economic concern, with 90% of the country’s $4.5 trillion healthcare spending going toward treating chronic and mental health conditions.
What’s Next?
The commission will hold public hearings, gather expert input, and work with agencies to implement solutions. After delivering its initial reports, the group may receive an updated mission from the administration.
Trump framed the initiative as a necessary pivot in national health policy, declaring:
“We must restore the integrity of science, reform our healthcare system, and put Americans back on the path to lifelong health.”
The commission’s findings and recommendations are expected to shape future policies on nutrition, environmental regulations, and healthcare reform.
