The MAHA Report: Step 1. What did they do to our children – the sickest generation in history

The Presidential Commission to Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) released an assessment identifying key drivers behind the childhood chronic disease crisis. Coming just 98 days after President Trump established the MAHA Commission and tasking it with delivering a “Make Our Children Healthy Again Assessment” the report exposes a range of contributing factors:

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 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 risk.

By examining these drivers, the assessment arms MAHA Commission stakeholders and partners with clear evidence that will support the development of effective policy interventions where they can deliver the greatest impact.

The 64-page report was released at an event where most cabinet members attended, bringing in an “all of government” support for the tasks ahead.

“We will end the childhood chronic disease crisis by attacking its root causes head-on—not just managing its symptoms,” said U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “We will follow the truth wherever it leads, uphold rigorous science, and drive bold policies that put the health, development, and future of every child first. I’m grateful to President Trump for his leadership—and for trusting me to lead this fight to root out corruption, restore scientific integrity, and reclaim the health of our children.”

“We must do more to improve the health outcomes of our kids and families, and President Trump knows agriculture is at the heart of the solution. America’s farmers and ranchers dedicate their lives to the noble cause of feeding their country and the world, and in doing so have created the safest and most abundant and affordable food supply in the world. We are working to make sure our kids and families are consuming the healthiest food we produce,” said U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. “I look forward to continuing to work with Secretary Kennedy and other members of the MAHA Commission to improve our nation’s health.”

“America’s childhood chronic disease crisis will be solved through innovation,” said U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin. “At EPA, we will do our part to protect human health and the environment while fulfilling all of our statutory obligations to safely regulate chemicals needed for every part of modern life to transport, build, feed, and power the Great American Comeback. This report shows America will continue to be the energy, industrial, and agricultural power of the world—and we can continue this while ensuring we have the healthiest children.”

Why the report was needed:

• More than 1 in 5 children over 6 years old are obese – more than 270% increase compared to the 1970s.
• Prevalence of pre-diabetes in teens is more than 1 in 4 teens – more than doubled over the last 2 decades.
• Childhood cancer incidence has risen over nearly 40% since 1975, especially in children aged 0-19.
• Autism spectrum disorder impacts 1 in 31 children by age 8.
• Teenage depression rates nearly doubled from 2009 to 2019 – more than 1 in 4 teenage girls in 2022 reporting a major depressive episode in the past year.
• Three million high school students seriously considered suicide in 2023.
• Between 1997 and 2018, childhood food‑allergy prevalence rose 88%.

Science and research driving next steps

Next steps will include supporting gold-standard scientific research and developing a comprehensive strategy. The MAHA commission now has 82 days to produce the Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy, based on the findings from today’s assessment.

The National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will act swiftly to close research gaps and drive decisive action against the escalating childhood chronic disease crisis. From overhauling GRAS oversight to harnessing AI for real-time surveillance and tackling the replication crisis, these agencies are on the front lines. These agencies will lead the charge in ending the childhood chronic disease epidemic to Make America Healthy Again.

The Make Our Children Healthy Again Assessment Report

As a prelude to the report: To turn the tide and better protect our children, the United States must act decisively. During this administration, we will begin reversing the childhood chronic disease crisis by confronting its root causes—not just its symptoms. This means pursuing truth, embracing science, and enacting pro-growth policies and innovations to restore children’s health. Today’s children are tomorrow’s workforce, caregivers, and leaders—we can no longer afford to ignore this crisis.

After a century of costly and ineffective approaches, the federal government will lead a coordinated transformation of our food, health, and scientific systems. This strategic realignment will ensure that all Americans—today and in the future—live longer, healthier lives, supported by systems that prioritize prevention, well being, and resilience.

But real transformation requires more than vision—it requires clarity. Before we act, we must fully understand the scope of the crisis, the conditions that created it, and the mechanisms through which it continues to grow. Without this foundation, interventions risk being reactive, fragmented, or ineffective.

To Make Our Children Healthy Again, we must begin with a shared understanding of the magnitude of the crisis and subsequently what’s likely driving it. This assessment provides that foundation—grounding future efforts in a common scientific basis that identifies four potential drivers behind the rise in childhood chronic disease that present the clearest opportunities for progress.

Read the full report HERE – or below: