MAKING AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN: President Trump Establishes Commission to Tackle Chronic Disease Crisis. President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order establishing the President’s Make America Healthy Again Commission. Chaired by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Commission is tasked with investigating and addressing the root causes of America’s escalating health crisis, with an initial focus on childhood chronic diseases.
A Bold Plan to Reverse Chronic Disease
The Commission has been given clear directives to produce actionable results within strict timelines. Within 100 days, it will deliver an assessment summarizing what is known about the childhood chronic disease crisis, including international comparisons. Within 180 days, it will develop a comprehensive strategy to improve the health of America’s children.
The Commission’s four main policy directives include:
- Empowering Americans through transparency, open-source data, and eliminating conflicts of interest in federally funded health research.
- Prioritizing gold-standard research to understand why Americans are getting sick.
- Collaborating with farmers to ensure U.S. food is healthy, abundant, and affordable.
- Expanding treatment options and health coverage flexibility for lifestyle changes and disease prevention.
Additionally, the Commission will hold public hearings, roundtables, and meetings to gather expert input, aiming to restore trust in medical and scientific institutions.
Addressing the Rise of Chronic Illnesses
President Trump recognizes that America’s healthcare system is largely focused on treating chronic illnesses rather than preventing them. This approach has led to a growing health crisis with serious economic and national security consequences.
Alarming Statistics Highlight the Crisis:
- Six in 10 adults have at least one chronic condition, and four in 10 have two or more.
- Prior to COVID, U.S. life expectancy averaged 78.8 years, compared to 82.6 years in comparable countries.
- The U.S. has the highest age-standardized cancer incidence rate globally, nearly double the next-highest country.
- Childhood chronic conditions are also rising, with 40.7% of U.S. children affected by allergies, asthma, or autoimmune diseases.
- Autism now affects 1 in 36 children, a dramatic increase from the 1980s.
- Over 40% of teens are overweight or obese, and 18% suffer from fatty liver disease.
Chronic diseases also impact national security, with 77% of young adults ineligible for military service due to health issues like obesity, drug use, or mental health conditions.
Economic and Social Consequences
The economic burden of chronic disease is staggering. 90% of America’s $4.5 trillion healthcare expenditure is directed at managing chronic and mental health conditions. Despite spending nearly twice as much per capita as other wealthy nations, the U.S. lags in health outcomes.
Public trust in the health system is at a near-record low, with only one-third of Americans expressing confidence in it. President Trump’s Commission aims to address this skepticism by providing honest answers and actionable solutions.
President Trump’s Commitment to Health
President Trump has consistently prioritized the health and well-being of Americans. During his first term, he:
- Passed Right To Try, giving terminally ill patients access to lifesaving cures.
- Signed an executive order to combat kidney disease through more transplants and better treatment.
- Accelerated breakthroughs in genetic treatments for Sickle Cell disease.
- Declared the opioid crisis a public health emergency and signed the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act.
- Expanded telehealth access, especially in rural and underserved communities.
The Make America Healthy Again Commission builds on these achievements, fulfilling President Trump’s promise to investigate the root causes of chronic illnesses and ensure a healthier future for all Americans.
About the Author
Indian American Dr. Shabana Parvez, MD FACEP, is the founder of Arlington Integrative Medical Center and a distinguished leader in the field, holding board certifications in Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Lifestyle Medicine. She is the U.S. Bureau Chief for The Desi Buzz, GCCStartup.News, and Startup Berita, where she contributes her insights on healthcare and innovation. As a committed member of the Academy of Integrative and Holistic Medicine, Dr. Parvez is also pursuing a Diploma in Naturopathic Medicine from the College of Medicine and Healing Arts in Leicester, UK. Certified in contemporary cupping skills, Hijama therapy, and leech therapy, she combines traditional healing techniques with modern medicine. Dr. Parvez is fluent in Spanish, French, Urdu, Hindi, and Arabic, enabling her to connect with patients from diverse backgrounds. A passionate foodie, she enjoys creating recipes, experimenting with recipe hacks, and finding ways to make meals healthier and more delicious.
