US Targets Kids’ Illness with Smart Data

A National Health Response with a New Mandate

In early 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched a new federal initiative to investigate why so many American children are facing chronic health conditions. The result: a report by the MAHA Commission (Make America Healthy Again), created through Executive

 Order 14212 and delivered just 98 days after its formation.

Led by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Commission released a full assessment of the environmental, dietary, and policy-related factors contributing to a surge in childhood illnesses. Its findings now shape a cross-agency response aimed at reducing rates of obesity, diabetes, cancer, autism, and mental health disorders among young Americans.

Using Government Data to Find the Root Causes

The Commission’s work begins with clear numbers:

• Childhood obesity rates have tripled since the 1970s.
• Over 25% of teens are now pre-diabetic.
• Childhood cancer rates are up nearly 40% since 1975.
• More teens today report mental health struggles than in any generation before.

The MAHA Commission identified poor diet, chronic stress, toxic exposures, sedentary behavior, and overmedication as key contributing factors. Instead of tackling each issue separately, the federal government is now using shared data, health monitoring tools, and interagency collaboration to coordinate its next steps.

Key Features of the MAHA Innovation

This initiative marks a shift in how health policy is designed and delivered.

• Rapid interagency coordination: Agencies like USDA, EPA, FDA, and NIH are all participating in aligned efforts based on the same public data.
• Environmental accountability: The EPA is tasked with reviewing chemical exposures linked to chronic illness.
• Food safety modernization: The FDA will re-evaluate what is considered “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) in children’s food products.
• Smart data use: Surveillance and performance tracking will help the federal government act faster when patterns in disease or exposure emerge.

The Commission’s approach reflects a new model of smart government technology—one that uses digital systems to link science, policy, and action.

From Report to Action: What Happens Next?

The Commission’s report was just the beginning. Within 82 days of its release, each agency involved must submit a strategic plan aligned with the findings. Together, they will form the “Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy.” This national plan will focus on measurable changes in food systems, environmental policy, and childhood care.

Importantly, the process will be transparent. HHS will publish regular updates on agency performance, showing what actions have been taken and how they align with the strategy.