This report, titled Make Our Children Healthy Again: Assessment, serves as a call to action, underscoring the urgent need to address the alarming decline in American children's health. It presents compelling data and long-term trends that highlight the crisis of childhood chronic disease. The assessment aims to explore the potential dietary, behavioral, medical, and environmental drivers contributing to this crisis, establishing a firm, evidence-based foundation for necessary policy interventions, institutional reforms, and societal shifts. To protect our children effectively, the United States must act decisively and comprehensively.
The health of American children is facing an unprecedented crisis. Despite spending more than double the per capita healthcare expenses compared to peer nations, the United States ranks last in life expectancy among high-income countries while suffering from significantly higher rates of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Current statistics reveal that today's children are the sickest generation in American history, with chronic disease rates worsening each year, threatening not only public health but also economic stability and military readiness.
According to the CDC, over 40% of the approximately 73 million children aged 0-17 in the U.S. live with at least one chronic health condition, including obesity, asthma, autoimmune diseases, and behavioral disorders. The consequences of this crisis are dire, with over 75% of American youth aged 17-24 deemed ineligible for military service primarily due to obesity and mental health challenges.
The alarming rise in childhood chronic diseases can be attributed to a multitude of factors, including dietary habits, exposure to environmental chemicals, lack of physical activity, and over-medicalization. This report focuses on four critical drivers:
Poor Diet: The American diet has shifted towards ultra-processed foods (UPFs), which contribute to obesity and other chronic conditions. Environmental Chemicals: Children are increasingly exposed to harmful synthetic chemicals, affecting their long-term health. Lack of Physical Activity: Rising inactivity levels and stress among children are contributing to chronic disease rates. Overmedicalization: An increase in medication prescriptions for children is often driven by conflicts of interest within the medical community.In the aftermath of World War II, the U.S. agricultural system evolved significantly, prioritizing abundance and affordability. This shift led to the widespread production of ultra-processed foods, characterized by industrial manufacturing processes and ingredients not commonly used in home cooking. Today, UPFs account for nearly 70% of children's caloric intake, a dramatic increase from past decades.
Emerging research links UPFs to negative health outcomes, particularly among children. Approximately 70% of branded food products available in grocery stores today are ultra-processed. In stark contrast, countries like Portugal and Italy consume significantly fewer UPFs, averaging just 10-31% of their diets. The consequences of UPF consumption are severe, contributing to nutrient depletion and increased caloric intake, which in turn leads to higher rates of obesity and related health issues.
The reliance on UPFs has detrimental effects on children's health, as these foods often lack essential nutrients. Studies indicate that diets rich in whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, are associated with lower instances of chronic diseases. The consumption of whole foods provides crucial vitamins and minerals necessary for optimal growth and development, while UPFs displace these nutrient-rich foods.
Children today are exposed to thousands of synthetic chemicals through food, water, and air, which may pose long-term health risks. Research suggests that cumulative exposure to these chemicals can lead to developmental issues and chronic disease, raising concerns about the adequacy of current regulatory frameworks.
American children are facing unprecedented levels of inactivity, screen time, and psychosocial stressors. These factors contribute significantly to the rising rates of chronic diseases and mental health challenges, necessitating urgent intervention and support systems.
There is a growing trend of overprescribing medications to children, often fueled by conflicts of interest in medical research and regulation. The health system's response to rising chronic diseases has led to an increase in pharmaceutical prescriptions, which may further compromise children's health when not managed appropriately.
The President's Make America Healthy Again Commission will focus on establishing a comprehensive strategy to address these pressing health concerns. To effectively reverse the childhood chronic disease crisis, we must pursue evidence-based policies that prioritize prevention, well-being, and resilience.
It is imperative that we recognize the magnitude of this crisis and take concerted action to address its root causes. By focusing on improving dietary habits, reducing chemical exposure, promoting physical activity, and reevaluating our medical practices, we can pave the way for a healthier future for American children.
