The Trump administration’s Make America Healthy Again Commission released its second report on Tuesday, noting that dietary factors, synthetic chemicals, lack of physical activity, and over-prescription of drugs could be factors behind the rise of chronic diseases in children.
The commission led by the U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and established following an executive order in February issued its Make Our Children Healthy Again Assessment in May.
The latest report, titled Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy, builds on the findings of that assessment and makes a series of recommendations to the president to address the childhood chronic disease crisis.
Key recommendations include
Focus on critical research
The report outlined plans for a new federally funded vaccine injury research program in an attempt to probe vaccine injuries with improved data collection and analysis. Kennedy, a well-known vaccine skeptic, has previously touted a link between vaccines and autism.
“The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through NIH and in collaboration with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), will study the root causes of autism,” the report said.
On Friday, Kenvue (KVUE) shares plunged after The Wall Street Journal reported that RFK Jr. could link the painkiller acetaminophen, marketed by the company as Tylenol, to autism in an upcoming report on the developmental disorder.
Policy reforms
The report called for curbs on direct-to-consumer pharma advertising and direct marketing of certain foods to children. “Egregious violations demonstrating harm from current practices will be prioritized, including by social media influencers and DTC telehealth companies,” it said.
Additionally, the commission outlined a new vaccine framework developed by the White House Domestic Policy Council and HHS to ensure “America has the best childhood vaccine schedule” and address vaccine injuries, among other aims.
Increasing public awareness
The commission also highlighted plans to address concerns over fluoridated water, which its first report linked to the lower IQ levels in children. “Following the completion of studies on fluoride, CDC and USDA will educate Americans on the appropriate levels of fluoride,” the report said, adding that it will make the public aware of how to obtain fluoride through toothpaste.