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Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Thursday released the highly anticipated MAHA Commission report, detailing findings on potential causes of the epidemic of Americans, particularly children, fighting chronic illnesses.
The report, which is 68 pages long, details findings concerning ultra-processed foods, environmental toxins, stress, and the lack of physical activity, and reliance on medications and vaccines.
.@PressSec: The MAHA Commission Report “identifies four major factories that are contributing to the rise of childhood chronic disease”:
– Poor diet
– Environmental chemical exposure
– Lack of physical activity
– Overmedicalization pic.twitter.com/HWGgirNkR0— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 22, 2025
On nutrition, the report notes Americans’ reliance on ultra-processed foods, which it says leads to “nutrient depletion, increased caloric intake, and exposure to harmful additives.” The report found that 70% of children’s calories now come from ultra-processed foods, contributing to chronic conditions.
On environmental chemicals, the report says children are being “exposed to an increasing number of synthetic chemicals, some of which have been linked to developmental issues and chronic disease.”
Specifically, when it comes to pesticides, the report’s authors order a study on the chemicals by next year, but it also tires to quell fears of quick regulatory action. Notably, some Republicans have expressed concern about action on pesticides because of how it might impact farmers.
“American farmers rely on these products, and actions that further regulate or restrict crop protection tools beyond risk-based and scientific processes set forth by Congress must involve thoughtful consideration of what is necessary for adequate protection, alternatives, and cost of production,” the report states.
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Excessive screen time, inactivity, sleep deprivation, and chronic stress were also identified as significant factors contributing to the rise in chronic diseases and mental health challenges.
Addressing the over-medicalization of children, the report cites a 1,400% increase in antidepressant prescriptions and increased prescribing of stimulants, antibiotics, and asthma drugs, an Axios report notes.
Vaccinations were also highlighted, specifically calling for “more rigorous clinical trial designs.”
The detailed report is framed as a “call to action.”
“It presents the stark reality of American children’s declining health, backed by compelling data and long-term trends,” it reads. “More importantly, it seeks to unpack the potential dietary, behavioral, medical, and environmental drivers behind this crisis. By examining the root causes of deteriorating child health, this assessment establishes a clear, evidence-based foundation for the policy interventions, institutional reforms, and societal shifts needed to reverse course.”
In the coming 80 days, Secretary Kennedy is tasked with creating a strategy based on these findings to tackle the chronic disease crisis.
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