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- The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) report, released by the Health Department, has been found to cite seven nonexistent studies.
- The White House attributes these errors to “formatting issues” and promises an update to the report.
- The report’s credibility is under scrutiny due to these significant errors.
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Essential Context
The MAHA report, aimed at addressing the childhood chronic disease crisis, has faced criticism for its inaccuracies. The report, which claims to be backed by “gold-standard” science, includes citations to studies that do not exist.
Core Players
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – Secretary of Health and Human Services, leader of the MAHA Commission
- Karoline Leavitt – White House Press Secretary
- Katherine Keyes – Epidemiologist, mistakenly listed as an author of a nonexistent study
- Make America Healthy Again Commission – Established to address childhood chronic diseases
Key Numbers
- 7 – Number of nonexistent studies cited in the MAHA report
- 500+ – Total number of studies and sources cited in the report
- 100 days – Deadline for the Commission to submit the Make Our Children Healthy Again Assessment
- 180 days – Deadline for the Commission to submit the Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy
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The Catalyst
The controversy began when an investigation revealed that the MAHA report cited several studies that do not exist. This has raised questions about the report’s credibility and the reliability of its findings.
“We have complete confidence in Secretary Kennedy and his team at HHS,” said Karoline Leavitt, attributing the errors to “formatting issues.”
Inside Forces
The MAHA Commission was established by an executive order to address the childhood chronic disease crisis. The report’s mission includes studying the causes of these diseases and advising President Trump on policy and strategy.
However, internal dynamics within the Health Department and the Commission may have contributed to the oversight and errors in the report.
Power Dynamics
The White House’s response to the criticism highlights the power dynamics at play. Despite the significant errors, the White House maintains confidence in Secretary Kennedy and the report’s substance.
This stance underscores the administration’s commitment to the report’s goals, even in the face of criticism.
Outside Impact
The broader implications of this controversy include a loss of public trust in government health reports and potential delays in addressing the childhood chronic disease crisis.
Health experts and the public are calling for greater transparency and accuracy in such critical reports.
Future Forces
Going forward, the MAHA Commission will need to rectify these errors and ensure the accuracy of its findings. This may involve a thorough review of the cited sources and a more rigorous verification process.
The administration will also need to rebuild public trust by demonstrating a commitment to transparency and scientific integrity.
Data Points
- February 13, 2025 – Executive Order establishing the MAHA Commission
- May 29, 2025 – Date of the report’s criticism and White House response
- 100 days – Deadline for submitting the Make Our Children Healthy Again Assessment
- 180 days – Deadline for submitting the Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy
The MAHA report controversy highlights the importance of accuracy and transparency in public health policy. As the administration moves forward, it must address these issues to maintain public trust and effectively tackle the childhood chronic disease crisis.
