EO 14212: Establishing the President's Make America Healthy Again Commission

TLDR

This executive order creates the “Make America Healthy Again Commission” to address poor U.S. health trends, focusing on children’s chronic diseases. Led by the HHS Secretary, it requires delivery of a children’s health assessment within 100 days and a comprehensive strategy within 180 days.

This executive order establishes the “Make America Healthy Again Commission” to address concerning health trends in the United States.

The order cites alarming health statistics showing Americans lagging behind other developed nations:

• U.S. life expectancy (78.8 years) trails comparable countries (82.6 years)
• 60% of Americans have at least one chronic disease, 40% have multiple chronic diseases
• The U.S. had the highest cancer rates globally in 2021, with an 88% increase from 1990-2021

The order particularly emphasizes deteriorating children’s health:

• 40.7% of children (30 million) have at least one health condition
• Autism rates increased from 1-4 per 10,000 in the 1980s to 1 in 36 children currently
• 3.4 million children are on ADHD medication, up from 3.2 million in 2019-2020

Leadership:

• Chaired by Secretary of Health and Human Services
• Executive Director: Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy

Key objectives:

• Study causes of childhood chronic disease
• Develop transparent research practices
• Eliminate conflicts of interest in health research
• Work with farmers to improve food quality
• Expand treatment options and insurance coverage

Timeline and deliverables:

1. Within 100 days: Submit “Make Our Children Healthy Again Assessment”
2. Within 180 days: Deliver comprehensive strategy to address childhood chronic disease

Strengths:

• Comprehensive approach involving multiple agencies
• Focus on transparency and data-driven solutions
• Recognition of environmental and lifestyle factors

Potential concerns:

• Ambitious timeline for complex health issues
• No specific funding mechanisms outlined
• Heavy emphasis on childhood diseases may overshadow adult health concerns
• Vague implementation details for proposed solutions

This executive order represents a significant shift in federal health policy, focusing on prevention and root causes rather than just disease management. The success will largely depend on implementation and cooperation across agencies.

ACTIONS

• 2025-04-07: CDC redeploys to Texas measles outbreak after layoffs, as RFK Jr. calls vaccine “most effective way” to stop spread | CBS News — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has redeployed staff to Texas to respond to the deadly measles outbreak, which has driven this year’s tally of US measles cases to its highest levels since 2019. The CDC had previously laid off thousands of employees, including those working on the agency’s measles response, but is now bringing back some staff at the request of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Measles cases have been linked to unvaccinated individuals, with health experts emphasizing the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of the virus.
• 2025-03-28: Rescission of the Final Scientific Integrity Policy of the National Institutes of Health — The Trump administration rescinded the NIH’s Final Scientific Integrity Policy on March 28, 2025, citing a need to align with the administration’s priorities and remove what they viewed as “harmful DEI and gender ideology” from research standards. Despite this rescission, the NIH stated it remains committed to scientific integrity through other existing policies on research misconduct, authorship, and data management. Science advocacy groups have criticized the move as part of a broader pattern of rolling back DEI initiatives across government agencies since Trump took office in January 2025.
• 2025-03-09: Many Health and Human Services employees receive $25K buyout offer | AP News — The Trump administration has offered voluntary separation payments of up to $25,000 to approximately 80,000 federal workers at the Health and Human Services Department, with a response deadline of 5 p.m. Friday. This effort to reduce the federal workforce comes as HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has indicated plans for deep staff cuts, while the CDC is simultaneously handling a measles outbreak in West Texas and New Mexico, and Congress debates significant Medicaid reductions.
• 2025-03-01: RFK | MMR vaccine “crucial” in measles prevention after Texas outbreak — Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. advocated for the MMR vaccine in response to a growing measles outbreak in Texas, despite his history of vaccine skepticism. At least 146 measles cases have been identified in Texas since January, including a fatal case of an unvaccinated school-aged child in Lubbock.
• 2025-03-01: Kennedy Jr backtracks and says US measles outbreak is now a ‘top priority’ for health department |The Guardian — US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has reversed his stance on the measles outbreak, now declaring it a “top priority” after initially dismissing it as “not unusual,” following the first US measles death in a decade. The health department is sending 2,000 doses of the MMR vaccine to Texas, where over 140 cases have been reported since January, with approximately 95% of infected individuals being unvaccinated.
• 2025-02-26: Multimillion-dollar Biden-era COVID-19 vax project halted by Trump’s HHS — Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has paused a multimillion-dollar contract for a new oral COVID-19 vaccine development by Vaxart Inc., issuing a 90-day stop-work order to review the project that was part of the Biden administration’s $4.7 billion Project NextGen initiative. The clinical trial involving 10,000 participants was set to begin but will now be on hold while Kennedy and health officials examine initial findings.
• 2025-02-26: Trump Team Weighs Pulling Funds for Moderna Bird Flu Vaccine — US health officials are reevaluating a $590 million contract for bird flu shots that the Biden administration awarded to Moderna Inc. in January 2025, as part of a broader examination of spending on mRNA-based vaccines. The review comes amid concerns from the Trump administration about the Biden administration’s oversight of vaccine production agreements, with Moderna’s stock falling as much as 6.6% in after-hours trading following the news.
• 2025-02-26: Meeting of US FDA vaccine advisers canceled, committee member says | Reuters — The FDA has canceled a pivotal advisory committee meeting that was set to discuss which flu strains to include in next season’s vaccine. The Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee meeting was scheduled for March 13, but committee members were notified of the cancellation without explanation.
• 2025-02-20: Trump administration terminates CDC flu vaccine campaign : Shots - Health News : NPR — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has halted its successful “Wild to Mild” flu vaccination campaign following a review by the Department of Health and Human Services under newly appointed secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The campaign, which used contrasting images of wild animals and their tame counterparts to illustrate how vaccines can reduce flu severity, was pulled despite the current flu season being particularly severe with hospitalization rates at a 15-year high.
• 2025-02-18: RFK Jr. says panel will examine childhood vaccine schedule | AP News — Robert F. Kennedy Jr., despite promising Senator Bill Cassidy he would not change the nation’s vaccination schedule to secure his confirmation as health secretary, announced plans to investigate childhood vaccines through a new “Make America Healthy Again” commission. Speaking to HHS employees during a measles outbreak in West Texas, Kennedy stated “nothing is going to be off limits” in examining vaccines, pesticides, food additives, microplastics, antidepressants, and electromagnetic waves to determine if they contribute to chronic illnesses like diabetes and obesity.
• 2025-02-14: HHS ordered CDC to take down all flu vaccine campaign materials from its website — The CDC’s “Wild to Mild” flu vaccination campaign was terminated just days after Robert F. Kennedy Jr. became health secretary. The campaign, which used contrasting images of wild and tame animals to illustrate how vaccines reduce flu severity, was halted during one of the worst flu seasons in decades, with materials being removed from the CDC website despite the campaign’s reported success in reaching vulnerable populations.

REFERENCES

• 2025-04-06: RFK Jr. plans Texas trip after possible second measles-related death there — Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to visit Texas after a second child’s death was linked to measles, following a similar case reported by the same Mennonite community in February. The trip comes as Texas has the nation’s highest number of reported measles cases, with 481 cases since late January. Kennedy’s visit may be seen as a step towards taking ownership of his role at the Department of Health and Human Services.
• 2025-04-01: The CDC Has Been Gutted | WIRED — The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued RIF notices to dozens of employees across various divisions, including those focused on environmental health, population health, and infectious diseases. The cuts are attributed to an executive order from President Donald Trump’s “Department of Government Efficiency” initiative, which aims to reduce the workforce at the CDC. Experts warn that these reductions will have devastating consequences for public health, particularly in rural areas where federal funding is heavily relied upon.
• 2025-04-01: ‘It’s a bloodbath’: Massive wave of job cuts began at US health agencies | CNN — The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has begun a massive wave of job cuts, affecting thousands of employees across multiple agencies, including the FDA, CDC, NIH, and CMS. The cuts, which include reductions in force and reassignments, aim to prioritize prevention over treatment and reduce “bureaucratic sprawl,” but have been met with criticism from experts who warn that they will leave the country less safe and prepared to respond to health threats. The total number of employees affected is not yet clear, but HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has promised that the department will do more with less.
• 2025-04-01: Widespread layoffs, purge of leadership underway at U.S. health agencies | The Washington Post — The Trump administration’s Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has initiated a sweeping purge of senior leaders and employees at various US health agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Food and Drug Administration, resulting in widespread layoffs and administrative leaves. The move is part of a broader downsizing effort aimed at reducing the federal health workforce by 20,000 staff members, with estimated annual savings of $1.8 billion. Critics argue that the reorganization could compromise public health efforts and violate federal law, while supporters claim it will help streamline operations and focus on core mission objectives.
• 2025-03-29: Trump taps Sara Carter of Fox News to be next national drug czar | STAT — President Trump has selected Fox News contributor Sara Carter as the nation’s next drug czar, despite her lack of experience in drug policy or government service. Carter’s background is in journalism, with a focus on border issues and anti-Biden rhetoric, which may raise concerns about her qualifications for the role. Trump praised Carter’s work in tackling the opioid crisis, but critics question whether she has the necessary expertise to effectively lead the nation’s efforts against illicit drugs.
• 2025-03-29: RFK Jr. forces out FDA’s top vaccine scientist, Peter Marks | The Washington Post — Peter Marks, the top vaccine regulator at the FDA, has been forced out by the Trump administration after he refused to support misinformation about vaccines promoted by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Marks had overseen the development of COVID-19 vaccines and was a key architect of Operation Warp Speed, but left his post with an effective departure date of April 5 due to disagreements with Kennedy’s views on vaccine safety. The move has been criticized by experts who praise Marks’ work at the agency and warn that it will undermine future efforts to fight diseases and develop therapies.
• 2025-03-28: ‘Disappointed but not surprised’…Measles cases explode in 19 states, new outbreak confirmed — Measles cases have surged nationwide, with nearly half of US states reporting cases, according to the CDC. The highly contagious virus can spread rapidly through unvaccinated or undervaccinated communities, and hospitalizations among children have increased significantly this year. Measles is considered one of the most contagious viruses in the world, and vaccination rates have dropped due to exemptions for religious or personal reasons.
• 2025-03-28: The CDC Buried a Measles Forecast That Stressed the Need for Vaccinations | ProPublica — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been ordered by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to refrain from releasing its assessment on the risk of catching measles, which found that vaccination rates in areas near outbreaks were high. The CDC had planned to emphasize the importance of vaccinating people against measles, but instead issued a statement saying that the decision to vaccinate is a personal one and should be made with consultation from a healthcare provider. This shift in messaging has been criticized by some CDC staff, who feel that it may undermine public health efforts to combat the outbreak.
• 2025-03-27: NIH cancels RECOVER grants for long COVID projects — The NIH has abruptly canceled all RECOVER program grants for long COVID research, halting nearly completed studies aimed at uncovering the condition’s biological mechanisms. Researchers and advocates warn the cuts waste millions in taxpayer dollars and could cripple future treatment and drug development efforts. The decision, part of a broader rollback of COVID-related funding under the Trump administration, has left scientists alarmed and long COVID clinics uncertain about their survival.
• 2025-03-27: RFK Jr. to Unveil Plans to Cut 10,000 HHS Workers | Bloomberg — Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to eliminate 10,000 additional positions at the department, building on prior workforce reductions under the Trump administration. Combined with earlier cuts, the move would shrink the agency’s staff by roughly 25%, signaling a major downsizing of federal public health infrastructure.
• 2025-03-26: Trump Administration Trying To Get Rid Of ACA Protection For Trans People | HuffPost UK Politics — The Trump administration has proposed a sweeping rule change to the Affordable Care Act that would remove gender-affirming care from essential health benefits, threatening access for transgender individuals and placing financial burdens on states. The rule, released with limited public notice and an unusually short comment period, is part of a broader effort to roll back protections for trans Americans across healthcare, education, and civil rights.
• 2025-03-26: NIH to cut grants for COVID research, documents reveal — The NIH and CDC are abruptly terminating billions in COVID-19 research funding, citing the end of the pandemic and shifting political priorities under the Trump administration. The cuts also target projects on climate change, DEI, and long COVID, sparking concern among scientists about preparedness for future health crises.
• 2025-03-25: Vaccine skeptic hired to head federal study of immunizations and autism | The Washington Post — The Department of Health and Human Services has appointed vaccine skeptic David Geier—previously disciplined for practicing medicine without a license—to lead a federal study on vaccines and autism, reigniting long-debunked theories. Public health experts fear the move will undermine trust in vaccines and distort decades of scientific consensus showing no link between vaccines and autism.
• 2025-03-25: For Some Measles Patients, Vitamin A Remedy Supported by RFK Jr. Leaves Them More Ill — In West Texas, some parents influenced by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s promotion of vitamin A as a measles remedy have been giving their unvaccinated children dangerously high doses, leading to cases of liver damage. Doctors warn this unproven treatment is complicating care amid a severe measles outbreak, undermining public health efforts.
• 2025-03-13: HHS braces for a reorganization | POLITICO — The Trump administration is preparing to significantly reduce the Department of Health and Human Services workforce, with an announcement expected soon. Under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the administration plans agency-wide cuts targeting multiple departments including the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (potentially reducing staff from 180 to 30) and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
• 2025-03-16: Scientists Say NIH Officials Told Them To Scrub mRNA References on Grants | KFF Health News — NIH officials have reportedly instructed scientists to remove all references to mRNA vaccine technology from grant applications, suggesting the Trump administration may abandon this field of medical research despite its role in saving millions of lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. Scientists are expressing concerns about potential funding cuts to mRNA research, attributing this shift to political pressure from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whose anti-vaccine stance has already affected other research areas and created a climate of fear among vaccine scientists.
• 2025-03-11: The Diseases Are Coming - The Atlantic — This article discusses how the Trump administration’s cutbacks to global health institutions like USAID, WHO, and CDC are severely undermining America’s ability to detect and respond to infectious disease outbreaks worldwide. The author, a physician who survived Ebola, warns that these “slash-and-burn” policies have rapidly transformed the US from a global health leader into an “untrustworthy has-been,” leaving both America and the world more vulnerable to future pandemics.
• 2025-03-11: LA County confirms first measles case in resident | CBS Los Angeles — Los Angeles County has confirmed its first measles case in a resident who returned from an international trip on March 5. Health officials have identified several exposure locations including LAX, Cloud 9 Nail Salon in North Hollywood, and Superior Grocery in El Monte. Public health authorities advise those who may have been exposed to check their vaccination status and monitor for symptoms such as high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, and a characteristic rash that typically starts on the face.
• 2025-03-10: ‘This is just eugenicism’: RFK skewered as he blames diet and exercise for measles deaths | Raw Story — The article discusses Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s controversial comments suggesting that poor diet and lack of exercise may be to blame for a Texas child’s death from measles. Kennedy’s remarks sparked significant backlash on social media, with critics condemning his suggestion that “measles is very difficult to kill a healthy person” and his implication that the child who died may have suffered from malnutrition.
• 2025-03-05: State of play of Bird Flu in the US - and how the Trump administration is increasing the danger for everybody — The text discusses the current state of bird flu in the US, highlighting its spread among poultry, dairy herds, and humans. It also criticizes the Trump administration’s response, arguing that their policies are exacerbating the risk of a potential pandemic by weakening surveillance, research, and public health measures.
• 2025-03-05: Restored CDC | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | CDC — a group of archivists has recreated the original CDC website and is hoting it in the EU.
• 2025-02-28: Confirmed measles case in King County infant prompts health warnings, parental concern — Health officials in King County are urging caution after the first confirmed measles case in Washington state this year, involving an infant who may have exposed others at several locations following overseas travel. The highly contagious respiratory disease poses greatest risk to unvaccinated individuals, with health experts emphasizing that the MMR vaccine provides 97% protection after two doses while vaccination rates have declined nationwide since the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 2025-02-27: Avian flu risk ‘high’: 20 dead geese found on Ogunquit Beach — The discovery of approximately 20 dead geese on Ogunquit Beach in Maine is suspected to be due to avian flu (HPAI), with authorities ranking the risk level as “high” while continuing to monitor the situation. This follows a similar incident at Short Sands Beach in York where five dead ducks were found, and while transmission to humans is rare, the current H5N1 strain has caused 70 human cases in the U.S. since March 2024, including one documented death.
• 2025-02-26: A person dies of measles in West Texas outbreak — A person has died of measles in West Texas as part of a fast-moving outbreak that has infected at least 124 people, mostly children, with at least 18 hospitalizations. This marks the first measles death in the United States in a decade, occurring in an outbreak where all hospitalized children at Covenant Children’s Hospital in Lubbock were unvaccinated and admitted due to breathing difficulties.
• 2025-02-25: America’s Food Safety Is Now in the Hands of Donald Trump Jr.’s Hunting Buddy | Vanity Fair — Kyle Diamantas, a Florida attorney and hunting buddy of Donald Trump Jr., has been appointed as acting deputy commissioner for human foods at the FDA despite limited regulatory experience. His appointment comes amid mass purges at health agencies, including the dismissal of 89 staff members from the Human Foods Program, raising concerns about food safety oversight for 80% of the nation’s food supply.
• 2025-02-22: They Worked to Prevent Death. The Trump Administration Fired Them. | ProPublica — The Trump administration has conducted a widespread purge of federal health workers, firing approximately 750 CDC workers, over 1,000 NIH staffers, and numerous employees at CMS and FDA, with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. vowing to gut federal health centers. The firings have severely impacted critical public health programs including tobacco regulation, maternal health initiatives, and organ donation systems, with terminated employees warning that these cuts will lead to increased risks to public health and potentially cost lives.
• 2025-02-22: Alarm as bird flu now ‘endemic in cows’ while Trump cuts staff and funding | US news | The Guardian — A new variant of H5N1 bird flu has become endemic in dairy cows across multiple U.S. states, with experts warning the situation is unlikely to be contained without intervention, particularly concerning given Trump administration cuts to CDC and USDA staff responding to the outbreak. The virus has shown concerning patterns of transmission between birds, cows, and humans, with multiple spillover events in Nevada and Arizona involving the D1.1 variant, while simultaneously occurring during the worst flu season in 15 years - raising risks of viral reassortment and mutation.