What’s Missing in MAHA’s Plan for Our Kids August 20, 2025

A draft of the “Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy,” a White House report on children’s health was leaked last week by Politico and needless to say that it is packed full of terrible ideas for protecting children’s health. While the draft report is chock full of industry handouts (like suggesting private sector partnerships with USDA and EPA to spur innovation in pesticide application) and a long list of priorities for deregulation, there are actually a few things that we agree on. These more positive inclusions are things like needing to take a closer look at air quality impacts on children’s health, the risks of microplastics and the importance of considering cumulative exposures. But while there are a few bullet points that PSR can potentially align on, overall the plan is a dangerous misappropriation of science and a fundamental failure to recognize some of the gravest and most pressing threats to our kids’ health today.  One of the most concerning of these omissions is the complete lack of reference to social determinants of health, such as race, age, economic standing and environment. Similarly concerning, there is no mention of climate change anywhere in the draft. Which is amazing when you think about the fact that scientists at the EPA are so concerned about climate impacts on children, they issued an entire report on the subject in 2023. 

These omissions stand in stark contrast with what health professionals know from personal experience (and peer-reviewed research) – which is that climate change is already harming American children’s mental and physical health and will further health inequities if we don’t address exposure disparities. Children are among the most vulnerable to public health and environmental threats, and, if no progress is made in reversing climate change, will be left to deal with the worst of its health impacts. So while we recommend taking a look at the draft plan, be sure to pay as much attention to what is included as what isn’t (and I’m not just referring to the lack of citations).