MAHA Report Exposes Child Health Crisis, Links to National Security Risks

The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission, launched by President Donald Trump, dropped a bombshell report exposing the dire state of child health in the U.S., with chronic diseases skyrocketing and even national security at stake. Led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the report lays bare a troubling reality: American kids are grappling with unprecedented levels of obesity, depression, autism, and cancer, driven by a cocktail of environmental toxins, overmedication, and a food system that’s safe but far from optimal.

The numbers are stark. Teenage depression has nearly doubled from 2009 to 2019, and over one in five kids over six is obese. Autism diagnoses now hit one in 31 children by age eight, while childhood cancer has surged 40% since 1975. The report points fingers at processed foods laced with chemicals, pesticides, microplastics, and a cultural shift that’s left kids tethered to screens instead of playing outside. Even more alarming, over 40% of the nation’s 73 million children have at least one chronic condition, from asthma to behavioral disorders.

National security is on the line, too. The commission flagged that 75% of young Americans aged 17-24 are unfit for military service due to health issues like obesity and asthma. Food and Drug Commissioner Marty Makary didn’t mince words: “We have the most obese, depressed, medicated population in history.” The report calls for a pivot from a reactive health system to one that prioritizes prevention and resilience.

The overmedication of kids is a glaring issue. ADHD prescriptions have spiked 250% from 2006 to 2016, antidepressants for children jumped 1,400% from 1987 to 2014, and antipsychotics soared 800% from 1993 to 2009. Yet, the report notes, these drugs often fail to deliver long-term benefits. Kennedy, in a media call, described the report as a “diagnosis” of America’s health crisis, with a “prescription” of policy fixes due by August 30.

One surprising finding? Fluoride in drinking water, long touted for dental health, may be linked to lower IQ in kids when consumed above recommended levels. With over 60% of Americans drinking fluoridated water, the EPA is now reviewing standards. The report also critiques the U.S. food system, urging a shift away from ultraprocessed foods packed with sugars and additives toward nutrient-rich diets.

Kennedy emphasized a “holistic” approach, tying public health to a strong economy. “Weak economies kill people,” he said, noting that economic stability and environmental policies are inseparable from health outcomes. The commission, including EPA chief Lee Zeldin and USDA’s Brooke Rollins, will deliver actionable solutions in 100 days to tackle this crisis head-on.