President Trump is set to release a report on Thursday that will identify key drivers of chronic disease in children, as outlined by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The report is expected to highlight concerns such as ultra-processed foods, vaccinations, and environmental toxins.
The report, produced by the White House’s Make America Healthy Again Commission led by Mr. Kennedy, will not provide specific policy recommendations. Instead, it will present a broad statement indicating a national health crisis, identify certain causes, and suggest a framework for further investigation and reform.
Established in February, the commission was tasked by Mr. Trump to address what he termed the "growing health crisis in America," with an initial focus on chronic diseases affecting children. Mr. Kennedy has pointed to an epidemic of chronic diseases, particularly autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as significant concerns.
The executive order that created the commission emphasized the need for a new approach to nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle choices, while also addressing the impact of technology, environmental factors, and the quality and safety of food and drugs.
The executive order presents concerning statistics about American health, including that the U.S. had the highest cancer incidence rate in 2021 among 204 countries, with an 88 percent increase in cancer rates since 1990. However, it does not mention that cancer death rates have been declining in the U.S.
Additionally, the order instructs the commission to investigate potential harms related to antidepressants and electromagnetic radiation, but it does not address smoking and excessive alcohol use, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identify as primary causes of chronic disease. This omission comes as the Trump administration has closed the C.D.C.'s Office on Smoking and Health and dismissed the FDA's top tobacco regulator.
Mr. Kennedy has previously criticized ultra-processed foods as a significant contributor to chronic diseases, advocating for reforms in the food supply. However, recent actions by the administration, such as ending a program that provided fresh produce from local farms to schools, have raised questions about the commitment to improving children's diets.
The report is being led by Calley Means, a special adviser to the White House on health issues and ally of Mr. Kennedy. The commission includes federal health officials and heads of major health agencies like the C.D.C., F.D.A., and N.I.H.
Even before its release, the report has faced criticism from some Republican lawmakers and industry representatives, particularly regarding its anticipated focus on agricultural chemicals like glyphosate. During a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith cautioned against implying that such chemicals are unsafe, emphasizing the potential harm to farmers.
Mr. Kennedy acknowledged the importance of glyphosate to farmers and assured the senator that the commission would not jeopardize agricultural business models.