President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order on Thursday to establish the Make America Healthy Again Commission. The commission will be spearheaded by newly confirmed Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The primary objective of this commission is to delve into and address the underlying causes of the escalating health crisis in America, with a particular focus on childhood chronic diseases.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will chair the commission, which aims to restore trust in medical and scientific institutions. The commission will engage in public hearings, meetings, and roundtables to gather insights from health leaders. The four key policy directives of the commission include ensuring transparency in health data, conducting gold-standard research on the reasons behind increasing illnesses, collaborating with farmers to promote healthy and affordable food options, and expanding health coverage for lifestyle changes and disease prevention.
The initial emphasis of the commission will be on childhood chronic diseases like autism and fatty liver disease, while also examining adult chronic conditions such as asthma and life expectancy in the U.S. compared to other countries. Within the first 100 days, the commission plans to release an assessment outlining the current knowledge and remaining questions regarding childhood chronic diseases, including international comparisons. Within 180 days, a strategy will be formulated based on the assessment findings to enhance the health of American children.
President Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have pledged to 'Make America Healthy Again,' with a specific focus on addressing autism among youths. The commission will investigate chronic illnesses affecting both children and adults, including autism, which now impacts one in 36 children.
Trump has highlighted the surge in autism cases over the past 25 years, expressing concerns about the trend. He has promised to establish a Presidential Commission comprising independent experts to investigate the rise in chronic illnesses over the decades.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s confirmation as HHS Secretary was approved by the Republican-controlled Senate in a 52-48 vote. During his confirmation hearings, Kennedy clarified that he is not against vaccines and emphasized the critical role they play in healthcare. He also underscored his support for American farmers and their significance to the nation's culture and security.
