The White House’s Make America Healthy Again Commission published its anticipated report on childhood chronic disease May 22.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Feb. 13 to develop the commission, which is tasked with investigating “the root causes of America’s escalating health crisis.” The order instructed the commission, led by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kenendy Jr., to release an assessment on childhood chronic disease within 100 days, with a second report due within 180 days outlining strategies to improve children’s health.
Ten takeaways from the report:
1. The report calls childhood chronic disease an “unprecedented health crisis,” citing CDC data showing more than 40% of the nation’s 73 million children have at least one chronic condition. These include asthma, allergies, obesity, autoimmune diseases or behavioral health disorders.
“Today’s children are the sickest generation in American history in terms of chronic disease and these preventable trends continue to worsen each year, posing threat to our nation’s health, economy and military readiness,” the commission said.
2. The report outlines four main drivers of the nation’s chronic disease burden: ultra-processed foods, exposure to environmental chemicals, pervasive technology use and the overprescribing of medications.
Source: White House unveils ‘MAHA’ report: 10 takeaways / Becker’s Hospital Review