Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has initiated a comprehensive strategy to address public health challenges in the U.S., under the banner of 'Make America Healthy Again' (MAHA). This initiative aims to tackle rising rates of chronic diseases, with a particular focus on childhood illnesses, by examining factors such as the food system and disease prevention strategies. Key figures involved in the MAHA movement include Casey Means, Calley Means, and Dr. Mehmet Oz.
Kennedy has announced plans to ban two synthetic food dyes, Citrus Red and Orange No. 2, within the next two months, citing their harmful effects. This move is part of a broader effort to eliminate nine petroleum-based food dyes from the market. The FDA has recently approved new natural-source food color additives as part of this initiative.
The MAHA Commission, led by Kennedy, will also investigate the causes of chronic diseases, including the role of medications and environmental factors. The commission is expected to deliver a report on its findings by late May 2025, followed by a strategy to restructure federal health responses by mid-August 2025. Kennedy has been meeting with top pharmaceutical industry leaders to reform the health care system.
Kennedy's approach to public health has sparked debate, particularly with his views on vaccines and autism. He has pushed for placebo-controlled vaccine trials, a move criticized by Dr. Peter Hotez, who has ties to Big Pharma. Kennedy has also made controversial statements about the MMR vaccine, claiming it contains 'aborted fetal tissue', a claim refuted by experts. His call for radical transparency aims to restore trust in public health agencies.
Amidst these initiatives, the U.S. is experiencing a resurgence of measles, with 935 cases reported across 30 states by May 2, 2025. This outbreak has been linked to declining vaccination rates and has fueled conspiracy theories, further complicating public health efforts. Experts have criticized Kennedy's plan to find the causes of autism as unrealistic, pointing out that it overlooks established genetic research and the complexity of the disorder, which involves about 200 genes and fetal brain development.
For many experts, Health. Secretary Kennedy’s promise to find autism’s causes in a few months is jarring — and unrealistic. That’s because it appears to ignore decades of science linking about 200 genes that play a role.
https://t.co/ydURuFNoLL
More RFK Jr disinformation about MMR:
M for measles cultivated in chicken embryo cells
M for mumps the same
R for rubella to prevent congenital rubella syndrome, from a cell line that’s been propagated since the 1960s from two aborted pregnancies, no “aborted fetal tissue” https://t.co/HCx0Xl2yMy
For many experts, Health. Secretary Kennedy’s promise to find autism’s causes in a few months is jarring — and unrealistic. That’s because it appears to ignore decades of science linking about 200 genes that play a role.
https://t.co/ydURuFNoLL
We are working closely with the pharmaceutical industry to transform our nation’s sick-care system into a health care system — and to ensure their products are doing what Americans want them to do: Make America Healthy Again. https://t.co/Ugku3XvoWg
HHS Secretary @RobertKennedyJr says the food industry has ‘stepped up’ as he previews new natural food dyes and the ‘Make America Healthy Again’ movement on @foxandfriends Weekend https://t.co/tO8BDN1GN6
