Trump Establishes Make America Healthy Again Commission to Combat Childhood Chronic Diseases
President Trump signed an Executive Order establishing the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission shortly after Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was confirmed as Secretary of Health and Human Services12.
The MAHA Commission is chaired by Secretary Kennedy and includes representatives from various federal agencies, including Agriculture, FDA, NIH, and CDC13.
The Commission's initial mission is to address the childhood chronic disease crisis, studying potential contributing causes such as diet, toxic exposure, medical treatments, and environmental factors12.
Within 100 days (by May 24, 2025), the Commission must submit a "Make Our Children Healthy Again Assessment" to the President19.
The Commission is tasked with creating a strategy to improve childhood health within 180 days (by August 12, 2025)39.
The Executive Order directs NIH to prioritize research on the "root causes" of illness and promotes transparency in federally funded health research39.
The Commission aims to redirect national focus towards understanding and lowering chronic disease rates, with potential implications for nutrition, physical activity, medication use, and environmental impacts46.
The establishment of the MAHA Commission signals a potential overhaul of national health policy conversations under the Trump administration6.
Sources:
1. https://www.hoganlovells.com/en/publications/president-trump-establishes-the-make-america-healthy-again-commission
2. https://www.cov.com/en/news-and-insights/insights/2025/02/the-white-house-issues-an-executive-order-to-establish-a-make-america-healthy-again-commission
3. https://www.axios.com/2025/02/13/trump-maha-commission-rfk-chronic-illness
4. https://www.skadden.com/insights/publications/2025/02/make-america-healthy-again-commission-aims
6. https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/regulatory/trump-creates-maha-commission-chronic-disease-chaired-rfk
9. https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/02/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-establishes-the-make-america-healthy-again-commission/