White House Releases The Make America Healthy Again Report

At the request of the White House, the newly established Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission has released a sweeping policy assessment titled “Make Our Children Healthy Again.” The report serves as a foundational analysis ahead of what is expected to be a significant realignment of federal food, health, and environmental policy. The report was authored by members of the MAHA Commission that was established in an executive order by President Trump in February. The commission is made up of Trump political appointees, and did not solicit to opinions of scientists. The report is sure to make political waves and spark legal and regulatory fervor.

Framing the health of American children as a national crisis, the MAHA Report documents the sharp rise in chronic disease rates among youth and identifies four central drivers:

1. Poor diet dominated by ultra-processed foods (UPFs)

2. Environmental chemical exposure

3. Digital lifestyle and declining physical/mental health

4. ‘Overmedicalization’ of children

The report signals a shift away from reactive “sick care” toward a prevention-oriented, whole-systems approach, which could have far-reaching implications for food producers, healthcare stakeholders, educators, and environmental regulators. Below is a high level overview of the report. 

See here for a copy of the full report.

Key Highlights 

1. Ultra-Processed Foods (UPFs) and the American Diet

See Section: A Closer Look at Ultra-Processed Foods

This section of the report receives the most detailed treatment and is likely to guide near-term regulatory and policy efforts:

• UPFs now constitute nearly 70% of children's daily caloric intake, a dramatic shift from home-prepared meals common pre-1960s.

• These foods are characterized by high sugar, refined grains, industrial fats, and chemical additives, and are linked to obesity, diabetes, and nutrient deficiencies.

• Three central concerns identified:

• Nutrient depletion: Fiber, essential vitamins, and micronutrients are stripped in processing.

• Increased caloric intake: Engineered to override satiety signals, UPFs encourage overeating.

• Additives: Thousands of substances (emulsifiers, preservatives, dyes) raise concerns about gut health, metabolic disruption, and behavioral impacts.

The report explicitly calls for re-centering American agriculture and whole foods at the heart of national health policy, encouraging food systems that prioritize minimally processed, nutrient-rich products.

Policy Implications:

• Possible USDA, FDA, and NIH-led reforms to nutrition labeling, food marketing, and school lunch programs.

• Expansion of federal research into the health impact of UPFs, and stricter regulation of food additives.

• Expect scrutiny of corporate influence in dietary guidelines and nutrition science.

2. Environmental Chemical Exposures

See Section: The Cumulative Load of Chemicals in our Environment

• Over 40,000 chemicals are registered for U.S. commercial use; many are found in the blood and urine of children and pregnant women.

• Pesticides, microplastics, and PFAS chemicals are of particular concern.

• Children’s vulnerability is highest during developmental windows, raising long-term concerns for endocrine, neurological, and immune function.

Policy Implications:

• Increased calls for EPA action, improved chemical disclosure, and precautionary risk assessments.

• Tightening of pesticide and packaging material standards in food systems.

3. Decline in Physical and Mental Health in the Digital Age

See Section: The Crisis of Childhood Behavior in the Digital Age

• Children average 9+ hours of screen time per day outside school hours.

• 85% of teens fail to meet federal exercise guidelines; 80% don’t get enough sleep.

• Youth depression, suicide ideation, and anxiety have increased sharply in the past decade—especially among girls.

Policy Implications:

• Support for behavioral health integration in schools, funding for physical activity programs, and federal youth screen-use guidelines.

4. ‘Overmedicalization’ of Children

See Section: The Overmedicalization of Our Kids

• ADHD stimulant prescriptions rose 250% from 2006–2016; antidepressant use in teens is up 1,400% since the 1980s.

• Over 35% of pediatric antibiotic prescriptions are estimated to be unnecessary.

• Strong criticism is levied against conflicts of interest in FDA, CDC, and medical research, citing extensive pharmaceutical funding.

Policy Implications:

• Congressional interest in revisiting prescribing standards for pediatric populations.

• Potential hearings or GAO investigations into pharma-industry ties to regulators.

Looking Ahead

This assessment signals a major policy reset, with the food industry, public health officials, and healthcare providers all likely to face new research mandates, regulatory oversight, and cross-agency coordination. Stakeholders in food manufacturing, school health, and pediatric care should monitor for upcoming executive actions and draft legislation related to:

• UPF marketing and reformulation

• Additive safety evaluations

• Food-based chronic disease interventions

• Conflicts of interest in public health policy

Constitution Partners will continue to track developments from the MAHA Commission and the White House and provide updates as regulatory or legislative proposals emerge.