Imagine a country where most young people are too unhealthy to serve in the military.
This is the alarming picture painted by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in his newly released Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) report.
The document reveals a startling rise in chronic illnesses among young Americans, posing a threat not only to public health but also to national security.
According to the report, nearly three out of four young adults between ages 17 and 24 are considered too sick to enlist in the military.
Experts speaking with DailyMail.com warn that this could leave the United States vulnerable on multiple fronts.
The Alarming Rise of Chronic Diseases in Kids and Teens
The report highlights a dramatic increase in chronic health problems affecting children across the nation.
Over 40% of the 73 million children in the US now have at least one chronic condition—ranging from asthma and allergies to obesity and behavioral disorders such as ADHD.
Obesity rates are especially troubling: about 40% of Americans are classified as obese, with one in five children over the age of six falling into this category—a shocking 270% jump since the 1970s.
Diabetes in children has skyrocketed as well, with a 600% increase in type 2 diabetes diagnoses since the 1980s.
The prevalence of autism has also surged, now impacting one in 31 children compared to one in 150 two decades ago.
Rates of childhood cancer and mental health issues like depression have similarly climbed.
All these trends contribute to a situation where a staggering 75% of young adults are medically unfit for military duty.
What’s Behind This Health Emergency?
The MAHA report points to one main culprit: the American diet.
Ultraprocessed foods, which make up about 70% of the food supply, are packed with added sugars, unhealthy fats, and artificial additives.
Shockingly, half of the diets of pregnant and new mothers consist of these foods, potentially affecting their children’s health from birth.
These processed foods strip away vital nutrients and fiber, while flooding diets with sugars and carbohydrates that harm overall health.
Studies show sugary drinks alone were linked to over a million new heart disease cases and hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide in 2020.
Other research connecting ultraprocessed foods to dozens of health problems—like cancer, diabetes, and premature death—further underscores this crisis.
Artificial food dyes such as Red 40 are also suspected to increase hyperactivity and ADHD diagnoses among children.
Environmental Toxins and Their Impact on Developing Bodies
Beyond diet, the report draws attention to children’s exposure to harmful environmental chemicals.
These include pollution, pesticides, microplastics, and persistent “forever chemicals.”
Microplastics are especially concerning because they can disrupt hormone balance during critical growth phases.
The report stresses that even small toxin exposures in the womb, infancy, or puberty can cause lasting developmental damage.
Since children’s immune systems are still developing, continuous contact with these chemicals may weaken their defenses and increase vulnerability to infections later in life.
One controversial topic raised is fluoride, widely used to prevent tooth decay.
Kennedy and MAHA officials warn about potential risks like lower IQ and bone cancer, referencing recent studies.
However, many health experts maintain that fluoride’s dental benefits outweigh uncertain risks.
Overmedicalization and Its Risks for Kids
The report also sounds the alarm on children being medicated excessively.
Approximately one in five American children has taken prescription medication in the past month, with the highest rates among teenagers.
Stimulant prescriptions for ADHD have doubled among boys since 2006, with one in four boys using them by age 17.
Antidepressant use has surged dramatically, along with antipsychotic medications.
While some of this reflects medical progress, MAHA warns that overmedication can cause serious side effects like seizures, dependency, and heightened suicide risk.
A Controversial Take on Vaccination
One of the most debated sections criticizes the current childhood vaccine schedule.
The number of recommended vaccines in the US has increased from three doses by age one in 1986 to 29 today, including vaccines for pregnant women.
The report argues there is insufficient safety data comparing the US schedule with other countries and points to potential underreporting of vaccine side effects through the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).
Kennedy has long expressed vaccine skepticism, though he clarified during his confirmation hearings that he wouldn’t remove vaccines.
Health agencies continue to research vaccine safety, including disproven claims linking vaccines to autism.
The report acknowledges vaccines protect children from infectious diseases but insists parents should be fully informed about both benefits and risks.
The broader scientific consensus holds that vaccines—especially the MMR vaccine—are safe and effective.
What’s Coming Next?
While the MAHA report outlines the severity of America’s health crisis and its suspected causes, it stops short of prescribing specific policies.
A follow-up strategy document with recommendations is expected in August.
For now, the report invites serious conversation about the future of children’s health, the role of diet and environment, and the balance between medical care and overmedication.
As these debates unfold, one thing is clear: America’s youth health situation demands urgent attention.