RFK Jr. Takes Bold Initiative to Address Children’s Health Issues

Right after Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took the oath of office as the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on February 13, he was assigned to lead a commission dedicated mainly to childhood health.

The commission guides executive departments and federal agencies in advising the president on strategies to “combat the childhood chronic disease crisis.”

Its objectives include investigating the underlying causes of childhood chronic diseases such as “the American dietary habits, exposure to toxic materials, medical interventions, lifestyle choices, environmental influences, government policy, food production methods, electromagnetic radiation, and the impact of corporate interests or cronyism.”

This initiative is in accordance with Kennedy’s presidential campaign agenda and reflects his extensive experience at Children’s Health Defense, a nonprofit organization he established in 2007.

In his capacity as head of HHS, aside from leading the commission, Kennedy will manage a fiscal budget of $1.8 trillion for the 2025 financial year, the largest among federal agencies.

HHS is responsible for 13 different agencies, including notable organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The executive order indicates that six out of ten Americans are afflicted by at least one chronic illness, while four out of ten suffer from two or more conditions. Additionally, it’s estimated that one in five adults in the U.S. is affected by a mental health problem.

The order highlights that “overall, Americans across all age groups are experiencing greater illness, facing health challenges that our current medical system is not successfully managing. These trends are detrimental to our health, economy, and national security.”

The President’s MAHA Commission aims to present “top-tier research on the reasons behind the declining health of Americans in all health-related research funded by federal entities,” according to the fact sheet.

The commission is expected to provide an initial evaluation of possible factors contributing to the chronic disease epidemic within 100 days (by May 22). Furthermore, a national strategy titled Make Our Children Healthy Again will be introduced within 180 days.

The commission will include leadership from the Environmental Protection Agency, the departments of Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, Education, and Housing and Urban Development, as well as several economic advisors. Leaders of the FDA, CDC, and NIH will also participate.

Sayer Ji, co-founder of Stand for Health Freedom and head of GreenMedInfo, expressed that Trump’s executive order marks “an extraordinary and historic moment for the health freedom movement and for the future of our nation’s well-being.”

The commission formalizes the MAHA initiative that Kennedy has supported since the previous year.

“For far too long, we have witnessed chronic diseases, vaccine injuries, environmental toxins, and regulatory capture devastating the health of millions—particularly our children,” Ji noted.

“This federal commission will uniquely recognize these crises and pursue viable solutions that prioritize the well-being of the American populace over corporate interests.”

‘Radical Transparency’

Kennedy has emphasized the need for “radical transparency and the reinstatement of gold-standard science to the NIH, FDA, and CDC,” along with “eliminating corporate capture of these agencies” that has compromised scientific integrity.

These ideas align with the objectives of the commission.

Federally funded health studies should “avoid conflicts of interest,” promote transparency and open-source data for citizens, and actively seek to eliminate interests that skew results and breed distrust, according to the White House’s description of the commission.

The NIH and other federally financed health studies should prioritize top-tier research focusing on the fundamental reasons why Americans are becoming ill, as detailed in the fact sheet.

Kennedy is convinced that significant improvements in health will remain elusive unless corporate control over the FDA, CDC, and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) is addressed.

Collaboration with Agriculture Secretary

Kennedy is anticipated to collaborate with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on several initiatives beyond the new commission.

The USDA and HHS are tasked with finalizing the 2025–2030 edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans by late 2025.

Rollins announced on February 14 her intention to partner with Kennedy and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency to limit Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, also known as food stamps, to healthier food options.

“We must analyze where that funding goes and how it’s utilized,” she expressed. “I look forward to collaborating with Bobby Kennedy to assess whether we offer the healthiest choices. Should taxpayers be funding unhealthy food options and sugary beverages for children when more nutritious options are available?”

Rollins noted that SNAP has nearly expanded by 30 percent under the Biden administration.

“Are we ever going to deprive a hungry child of food? Absolutely not, this is the United States of America,” she asserted.

Vaccine Safety

Kennedy has faced backlash regarding his viewpoints on vaccines since launching his presidential campaign.

During his confirmation hearings, lawmakers from different parties exhibited a stark division concerning Kennedy’s views.

Most Republicans commended Kennedy for his advocacy work and his focus on tackling the nation’s chronic illness crisis, while Democrats criticized him for his beliefs on vaccine efficacy.

Prior to the confirmation vote on February 13, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) labeled Kennedy as a “wildly unqualified conspiracy theorist” and urged other senators not to support him.

Ultimately, Kennedy was confirmed by a narrow margin of 52-48, with Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) being the only Republican to dissent.

Kennedy has consistently clarified that he is not anti-vaccine, but rather an advocate for vaccine safety, informed consent, and nonpartisan research into vaccine efficacy.

“I’ve never been anti-vaccine,” Kennedy told The Epoch Times in September 2024. “People should have a choice, informed by the best available information. I will ensure that scientific safety studies are readily accessible so individuals can evaluate whether a vaccine is right for them.”

At an event hosted by Tucker Carlson in October 2024, Kennedy articulated his desire to “reinstate transparency” concerning vaccines rather than prohibit them.

Following his swearing-in, Kennedy informed Fox News that he aims to establish a more accurate vaccine injury reporting and monitoring system than the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).

“We will implement this immediately,” he asserted. “It’s crucial to understand the risk profiles of these products.”

Last year, Trump indicated that he would grant Kennedy the latitude to examine potential links between vaccines and autism.

For years, Kennedy has asserted that childhood vaccines are likely connected to autism in some children, as mandated by various states for school enrollment.

Trump’s executive order emphasized that in the 1980s, the autism rate stood at one in four among every 10,000 children.

Chemicals and Ultra-Processed Foods

A committed advocate for the regulation of food chemicals, Kennedy has proposed that Americans revert to using tallow fat instead of seed oils. He has criticized food manufacturers for incorporating ingredients like artificial dyes.

Kennedy has pledged to tackle this issue during his tenure as HHS secretary.

He highlighted the fact that American versions of Froot Loops cereal contain significantly more artificial colors and additives than their counterparts available in other countries.

Kennedy also outlined the alarming rise in diabetes among adults and children, along with neurological disorders, fatty liver disease, and cancer cases.

“What is the cause of this suffering? I would name two significant factors. The first and most critical is ultra-processed foods. The second is hazardous chemicals in our food, medicine, and environment,” he stated.

Kennedy emphasized that ultra-processed foods contain chemicals that were non-existent just a century ago, contributing to the increase in diseases. Many of these substances are banned in Europe but are widely present in American foods.

“America can become healthy again,” Kennedy asserted.

“To achieve this, we must follow three key steps: First, eliminate corruption from our health agencies. Second, reform the incentives within the healthcare system. Third, motivate Americans to embrace healthier lifestyles again.”