Report details

In May, the MAHA Commission released its first report outlining what it believed to be drivers of chronic disease in America, especially among children. Some areas targeted in this report were technology and social media, ultra-processed foods, and vaccines.

A second report outlining recommendations to the challenges presented in the first report was given to President Donald Trump last Tuesday. The draft report, which has not yet been released publicly, promises further research on topics including nutrition, electromagnetic radiation, water quality, fertility, and "potential benefits of select high-quality supplements," STAT reports.

Some recommendations in the draft report include:

Food and agriculture

The first MAHA report discussed possible links between pesticides and childhood diseases, leading to concern from the agricultural industry about potential new pesticide regulations. However, the new draft report describes the Environmental Protection Agency's pesticide reviews as "robust" and emphasizes public awareness of those procedures. The draft report also supports research on technologies to reduce pesticide use instead of recommending any new restrictions on pesticides.

The draft report also includes several recommendations for food, some of which administration officials have already committed to implementing:

• Updating "generally recognized as safe" standards for food additives
• Phasing out synthetic food dyes
• Promoting whole milk in schools and federal programs
• Exploring voluntary industry guidelines to limit junk food marketing to children

However, ultra-processed foods — which Kennedy previously called "poison" and a major focus of the first MAHA report— are mentioned only once in the draft report, in relation to defining them.

Prescription drugs and vaccines

A major focus of the draft report is what it calls the "overmedicalization" of American children. The draft report proposes:

• A new HHS working group to evaluate prescription trends for stimulants, SSRIs, and antipsychotics
• Tighter prior authorization rules for Medicaid prescriptions
• A review of ADHD and mental health prescription patterns using Veterans Affairs data

 Over the past few months, Kennedy has taken several steps to target vaccines, including firing all the members of CDC's vaccine advisory panel and canceling nearly $500 million in contracts for mRNA vaccines. 

Fluoride and electromagnetic radiation

Like the first MAHA report, the new draft report calls for more research into the impact of water fluoridation and electromagnetic radiation from technology on people's health.

On fluoride, the draft proposes education on "appropriate levels" of the chemical from CDC and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, FDA review of fluoride tablets, and public messaging that toothpaste provides an alternative source.

On radiation, HHS would study "gaps in knowledge" related to cellphones, Wi-Fi, and other technologies. Most experts say evidence does not show harm from such exposures, though Kennedy has linked them to cancer. 

MAHA-aligned activists have also expressed frustrations at the draft report for not taking a stronger stance against certain issues. For example, Zen Honeycutt of Moms Across America called the draft "profoundly disappointing and dangerous," particularly for failing to target glyphosate, a widely used herbicide.

"MAHA is very disappointed in this report," said David Murphy, a former Kennedy fundraiser. "We didn’t come here because we want food dyes out of Froot Loops. We came here because we want a fundamental rewriting of our food and ag policy."

However, others have defended Kennedy and the draft report.

"We'd love to see broad sweeping legislation that outlaws some of these chemicals," said Gary Brecka, the host of a popular wellness podcast who is influential in the MAHA movement. "If you're Health and Human Services or the Department of Agriculture, you also have to realize the impact — not just financially, but the impact that this would make on the food supply having to shift gears so quickly."

"Secretary Kennedy has an extraordinary opportunity to dramatically improve the quality of the food supply and lives of Americans," said David Kessler, former FDA commissioner. "What he does is considerably more important than what any report says."