Trump Creates Make America Healthy Again Commission
The Trump administration is wasting no time in launching a major health policy initiative under newly confirmed Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. On Thursday evening, the White House unveiled the Make America Healthy Again Commission, a sweeping effort aimed at tackling chronic disease and reforming the nation’s approach to public health.
The announcement, made just hours after Kennedy Jr. secured Senate confirmation, marks the beginning of what could be a transformative era for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The commission’s primary focus will be on reducing the burden of chronic illness in the United States, particularly among children.
According to the White House press release, six out of ten Americans suffer from at least one chronic disease, and four out of ten battle two or more. The press release also highlighted America’s lagging life expectancy, noting that pre-pandemic, U.S. life expectancy averaged 78.8 years, compared to 82.6 years in other developed nations—amounting to what the administration calls a staggering loss of 1.25 billion life years for the American population.
The commission, chaired by Kennedy Jr. and co-chaired by the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, will include a wide range of high-ranking officials. Among them will be the Secretaries of Education and Agriculture, the FDA Commissioner, and at least ten other cabinet members and senior officials. The inclusion of these figures signals an ambitious, cross-agency approach to tackling systemic health issues.
🇺🇸MAKING AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order establishing the President’s Make America Healthy Again Commission. pic.twitter.com/d4ISiU1krN
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 13, 2025
One of the commission’s first major tasks will be to study and combat childhood disease, an issue Kennedy has championed throughout his career. Within 100 days, the group is expected to deliver a comprehensive report to President Trump, outlining best practices for preventing and mitigating chronic health issues among American children.
A key theme of the commission’s work will be rethinking traditional health paradigms. The press release emphasized the need for “fresh thinking” on nutrition, physical activity, healthy lifestyles, and the impact of modern technology on well-being. Additionally, the commission will examine concerns surrounding over-reliance on medication, environmental health factors, and food and drug safety.
The launch of this initiative comes amid a politically charged backdrop. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination faced significant resistance in the Senate, given his controversial views on vaccines and public health policy. However, his appointment was ultimately secured after he withdrew from his independent presidential bid and endorsed Trump—a move that strengthened his standing with the administration.
Notably, the language of the White House announcement closely mirrored Kennedy’s signature campaign rhetoric, signaling that many of his health policy priorities will now take center stage in the Trump administration’s agenda.