The Presidential Commission to Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) today released its second , outlining the administration's strategy to address chronic disease among children. The American Heart Association, a global force changing the future of health for all, released the following statement:
"The American Heart Association shares the goal of creating of a healthier future for our children free of preventable chronic diseases. We remain committed to working with the administration and others to advance the best science-based strategies to improve the health of our nation's youth. The Heart Association sees opportunities to add to and build upon several of the report's many recommendations to have the greatest positive impact on the nation's health.
"We fundamentally agree that medical research, from basic science to real-world interventions, is essential to improving and promoting health. To fully realize this potential, the administration should increase investments in all health research, including nutrition, to prevent chronic disease and promote the health of children and adults. Specifically, we urge the administration to prioritize research on food is medicine approaches to discover the best and most cost-effective ways to integrate healthy food into chronic disease care in ways that could transform care delivery and improve health patient outcomes.
"The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) are an essential tool to promote science-based recommendations that shape federal food and nutrition programs, inform national nutrition policy and empower individuals and families to make healthier choices. It is critical that the updated DGAs remain grounded in the best available nutrition science that emphasizes eating fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts, whole grains and healthy sources of protein from plants, fish and seafood, lean cuts of animal proteins and low-fat/fat-free dairy. The DGAs also should emphasize the use of liquid plant oils, while minimizing trans-fat, processed meat, sodium, added sugars and saturated fat.
"The administration should increase research funding to better understand how food processing techniques and consumption of ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) can affect heart and metabolic health. The Heart Association's recent science advisory on UPFs is aligned with the administration's desire to help individuals make healthier and more informed food choices, and we look forward to working together to better educate the public about ultraprocessed foods. In addition, we strongly encourage the administration to move forward with proposed front-of-pack nutrition labeling to further empower consumers to make informed choices and support healthier families nationwide.
"We have long supported federal policies and programs including SNAP, WIC, school meals, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act to address chronic disease and improve public health. We advocate for strengthening nutrition standards in federal food programs and support efforts to remove sugary drinks from SNAP, while also expanding incentive programs that make fruits and vegetables more affordable and accessible. We remain concerned that the more than $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and SNAP contained in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act—combined with the administration's proposed cuts to other nutrition programs—will reduce access to healthy foods and critical health care services for the very families who need these supports the most. The Heart Association continues to advocate for expanded access to affordable health coverage and nutritious foods for all.
"No strategy to improve children's health is complete without a comprehensive approach to tobacco control—both preventing initiation and encouraging cessation—to curb the incidence of chronic disease. E-cigarettes pose a particular threat to youth, and newer products such as nicotine pouches are rapidly fueling addiction. Vaping prevention is critical, but that must be part of a broader strategy to reduce tobacco use and nicotine addiction overall. The Heart Association supports taking greater enforcement action against all unauthorized tobacco products, finalizing a nicotine standard for combusted tobacco products and increasing resources that help people quit tobacco use.
"Finally, the Heart Association supports a comprehensive plan to increase physical activity by transforming environments—from communities and schools to workplaces and health care systems—to make it easier for people of all ages to get active. That includes programs that expand safe walking, biking and rolling options; increase opportunities for outdoor recreation; strengthen school-based opportunities including physical education, recess and youth sports; and ensure inclusive after-school activities. Integrating physical activity into health care, strengthening research and coordination across agencies and promoting the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans are all critical to building a culture of health nationwide.
"We look forward to continuing our work with the administration to advance policies that will advance health and hope for families nationwide."
