President-elect Donald Trump coined 'MAGA', the Make America Great Again movement. It is a political movement which was used heavily during the presidential campaigns in 2016 and 2024. The latest development is its conservative sub-brand 'MAHA', Make America Healthy Again, with many MAHA influencers jumping right into the campaign, re-imagining the food policies and warning Americans on what they should or should not consume.

The forefront of MAHA is Robert F Kenny Jr. (RFK Jr.), who was recently nominated by Trump as the US Health Secretary, the position that awaits Senate approval. This battle incorporates RFK Jr.'s struggle against corporate agriculture, pharmaceutical companies and medical establishments.

Background

The externalised cost of food-related, noncommunicable diseases for Americans is over $1.3 trillion per year. This is greater than the value of all groceries sold annually. The food industry is also reaping high profits dealing with ultra-processed foods, many of which are banned in many other countries.

Robyn O'Brien, Chief Operating Officer at Montcalm says that 1 in 2 American men are expected to get cancer in their lifetimes, while 1 in 3 American women can expect the same. 1 in 3 American children has four As, which stands for allergies, autism, ADHD, and asthma, along with cancer as the leading cause of death in American children.

In this backdrop, it is JFK Jr.'s MAHA who wants to "dismantle the corporate stranglehold on [read the] our government agencies that has led to widespread chronic disease, environmental degradation, and rampant public distrust...MAHA seeks to drive a transformative agenda. This includes prioritizing regenerative agriculture, preserving natural habitats, and eliminating toxins from our food, water, and air… to combat the chronic disease epidemic, which includes addressing the root causes such as poor diet, environmental toxins, and inadequate healthcare... and dismantling the corporate takeover of government agencies that are supposed to protect public health and the environment.”

How did MAHA begin?

Calley Means and Dr Casey Means, a brother-sister duo built a wellness empire by questioning some of the traditional medical expertise and vaccine mandates. Their ideas also spoke to Trump's MAHA movement.

Calley who is a former food-industry lobbyist and Casey, a Stanford-educated surgeon, have pushed for a revamp of the American food and health system. This is driven by a deep distrust of the pharmaceutical and food industries and medical theories. Drawing on this thought, JFK Jr. also mentioned both siblings as people he would recommend to Trump for "prominent roles" in his administration.

The siblings have criticised the approach that the US medical systems are taking. They say, that instead of going for a holistic look at the body's needs through nutrition, exercise and health, the current medical system is relying on medications.

Calley also called the Covid-19 vaccine mandates a "war crime", and that parents should rely on the "divine gifts of intuition and heart intelligence" rather than "blindly trusting the science".

ALSO READ: Who is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Controversial Nominee for U.S. Health Secretary?

MAHA Influencers

There are MAHA influencers other than the podcaster siblings and JFK Jr. himself. Enters Alex Clark. "Cool girl, loves health and wellness, and happens to be conservative", the 31-year-old introduces herself.

She is able to tap into those who are not politically aligned, but are worried about their kids' health. In a podcast called Realfoodology, she and Courtney Swan, a nutritionist look for chickpeas, which might "slowly poison you", as Clark believes.

These chickpeas contain glyphosate, which as per the Environmental Protection Agency has "no risks of concern to human health". The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) noted that one international organisation said that it may be a carcinogen, but no other organisation has found or said anything. But for Clark, it does not matter because she has no faith in the "three-letter-agencies".

She in her podcast Culture Apothecary promoted MAHA, discussing various issues on health and wellness, with the top discussion on motherhood as a virtuous role, daycare as dangerous and feminism as insidious.

MAHA is a big no on hormonal birth control and she too is a promoter of the idea that the women's liberation movement has done more harm than good. Aligning with Republican's anti-abortion views, this MAHA influencer is a firm believer that abortion is "never medically necessary to save the life of the mother," even if the experts disagree.

What Else MAHA Wants?

MAHA is against regular mammogram testing because it exposes women to radiation and disrupts their body's function. As per the National Cancer Institute, the benefits of undergoing regular screenings exceed the risk of skipping them.

Another thing many MAHA believers hold deeply close to is that "my body, my choice" is just an illusion created by the state. In reality, the body is controlled by medicines, which leads to autism in children. The popular belief is that the food Americans eat, controlled by the corporation is what makes them sick, and they seek medical help, which controls their brain. It is a vicious cycle and MAHA wants to break free.

MAHA does not want these government agencies to co-parent their kids. They are clear that they want a "divorce", as Clark says.

With JFK Jr. being nominated as the US Health Secretary, who could control the health agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and many more, MAHA could be a dream come true in "divorcing" the parents with the government.

As a part of World Immunization Week, which is observed from April 24 to 30, to promote the life-saving power of immunization, notes the World Health Organization (WHO), India has launched a week-long campaign to vaccinate 100% of children against measles and rubella. This is a move described as crucial to country's goal of eliminating the two viral diseases by 2026, noted Union Health Minister JP Nadda.

As per WHO, this week aims to promote the power of immunization to protect people of all ages against vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccines are one of humanity's greatest achievements, notes WHO. Since 1974, they have saved 150 million lives.

As per India's aim, Nadda suggests that health workers must not only ensure complete vaccination overage, but also remain vigilant through robust disease surveillance. “Measles is very contagious. Even a single case must be treated as a warning signal. We have to cover immunity gaps and ensure no child is left behind,” he said.

As per WHO, India has reported 4,388 cases of measles and 527 cases of rubella so fat this year.

What Are Measles And Rubella?

Measles is a highly contagious viral infection marked by symptoms such as high fever, rash, cough, red eyes, muscle pain, and headache. Though often seen as a childhood illness, measles can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling (encephalitis), and even death, particularly in malnourished children and those with weakened immune systems.

Rubella, caused by a different virus, typically results in milder symptoms in children and adults. However, it poses a grave risk to pregnant women. Infection during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester, can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, or congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) — a condition leading to serious birth defects like heart problems, deafness, and developmental delays. According to WHO, rubella control is essential for reducing infant mortality and morbidity.

History of Measles and Rubella Vaccination In India

India has a long battle with measles, which had accounted for a significant portion of global measle deaths. In order to tackle this, the country introduced measles vaccination in 1985, under the Universal Immunisation Programme. However, rubella vaccination lagged behind until the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccination campaign was launched in 2017.

This massive drive aimed to immunize 410 million children between 9 months and 15 years of age, marking one of the largest vaccination campaigns in the world, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Post-campaign, the MR vaccine was incorporated into India’s routine immunization schedule, with two doses given between 9–12 months and 16–24 months of age.

Since measles and rubella are both highly contagious, health authorities say that achieving very high vaccination coverage — over 95% — is critical for creating herd immunity and stopping outbreaks.

Is India Close To Its Goal?

Health Ministry data shows promising progress: in 2024–25, 93.7% of children received the first MR vaccine dose, while 92.2% received the second. However, to achieve disease elimination, India needs to push these numbers above 95% consistently across all regions.

Highlighting the importance of full coverage, Nadda called upon public representatives to actively support the campaign and spread awareness, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.

Despite progress, India faced a significant measles outbreak in 2023. The country was among 57 globally that saw major outbreaks after routine immunization services were disrupted during the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2023 alone, India reported 68,794 cases of measles and 2,930 cases of rubella.

Responding to the surge, the government intensified supplementary immunization activities, targeting areas where outbreaks occurred. The impact is visible: measles cases dropped by 73% and rubella by 17% in 2024 compared to the previous year.

With sustained efforts, India is now on a strong path towards achieving measles and rubella elimination by 2026.

Note: The data is taken from World Health Organization and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

Fatty liver disease, now called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), happens when extra fat builds up in liver cells without alcohol being the cause. Normally, the liver contains some fat, but if more than 5–10% of the liver’s weight is fat, it is considered a fatty liver. In its advanced stage, MASLD can develop into metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), causing swelling and serious damage to the liver. Alarmingly, MASLD affects about 100 million people in the United States, including a growing number of children.

The disease often develops silently. Many people do not experience symptoms early on, but if it worsens, signs like fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, swelling, and even mental confusion may occur. Risk factors include obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, rapid weight loss, poor eating habits, and certain medications.

A Breakthrough in Early Prediction

A new study offers hope for earlier detection. Researchers, led by Dr. Shiyi Yu from Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital in China, have developed a blood test that looks for five specific plasma proteins to predict MASLD years before symptoms show up. The findings are set to be presented at the Digestive Diseases Week meeting in San Diego.

The test was shown to be 84% accurate at predicting fatty liver disease five years in advance and 76% accurate at predicting it 16 years ahead of diagnosis. When additional factors like body mass index (BMI) and daily exercise habits were added, the prediction accuracy improved even more—over 90% at five years and 82% at 16 years.

This model was tested on two different groups—participants from the UK Biobank (over 50,000 people) and a separate group in China—showing promising results across diverse populations.

Why Early Detection Matters

Fatty liver disease not only damages the liver but also increases the risk of early death—primarily from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) rather than liver failure itself. The connection between MASLD and heart disease is strong, as both share causes like high blood sugar, high triglycerides, and obesity. That is why early diagnosis is crucial—not just to protect the liver, but also to manage the risk of heart disease.

Early identification through a simple blood test could lead to earlier lifestyle changes, medical monitoring, and interventions that can prevent serious complications like cirrhosis or heart attacks.

What You Can Do

Currently, there is no approved medication for MASLD. Treatment mainly involves:

• Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise
• Controlling diabetes and cholesterol levels
• Avoiding alcohol
• Following medical advice if already diagnosed

Preventive steps include eating a balanced diet rich in lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy oils, being physically active, and avoiding unnecessary medications.

Although the findings are considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal, this research marks a major advancement. It shows that a simple blood test could soon help millions of people know their risk decades in advance, giving them a chance to change the course of the disease before it's too late.

As the United States experiences the worst measles outbreak in over a decade with nearly 900 reported cases across 29 states, including deaths of two children, public understanding of the disease and its prevention strategy have been highly misunderstood due to political divide. The outbreak began in West Texas and has now spread widely. This highlights not only the persistent threat of measles but also the growing influence of vaccine misinformation, which have been fueled by political figures.

Why Is There A Resurgence of Preventable Diseases?

Measles, a highly contagious viral disease, had been largely controlled in the U.S. thanks to the widespread use of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. However, gaps in vaccination coverage have led to a resurgence. The current outbreak, centered in Texas but extending to almost 30 states, has alarmed public health officials. Two young girls who were otherwise healthy have died as a result of measles complications.

The disease is known for its rapid transmission. A single case can lead to significant spread if vaccination rates in a community fall below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity. Children are particularly vulnerable; although the first dose of the MMR vaccine is typically administered at 12 months, increased parental concern has led some to seek earlier vaccination during the outbreak.

The Politics Of Vaccine

As per a new survey by KKF, a nonprofit health information group, only one-third of Republican-leaning parents were aware of the current measles outbreak. This was in comparison with the two-thirds of aware Democratic parents. The survey also found and 1 in 5 Republicans believes that measles vaccine is more dangerous than the diseases itself, this is double the rate of Democrats.

These gaps in perception are not new but are deepening. About 35% of Republicans surveyed believe the discredited theory that the MMR vaccine is linked to autism—a belief held by just 10% of Democrats. While belief in this theory has not increased significantly, public awareness of the claim has grown, reflecting the impact of persistent misinformation.

Adding to the confusion is Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has long been associated with anti-vaccine rhetoric. Since taking office, he has supported an investigation into environmental contributors to autism and has floated unproven theories, such as vitamin A being a preventative measure against measles. These statements, while not outright opposing vaccines, muddy public understanding and can discourage immunization.

At a time when clear public health messaging is critical, conflicting remarks from top officials are exacerbating distrust. Advocacy organizations like Immunize.org and The Immunization Partnership warn that such mixed messaging, especially when it originates from high-ranking leaders, undermines public confidence in vaccines.

In southern states like Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, anti-vaccine activism has gained traction within state legislatures. Studies show that even lawmakers with medical backgrounds have not always supported public health measures, often influenced by political considerations and public pressure. Testimony from vaccine opponents at legislative hearings further amplifies misinformation, making it more difficult for facts to gain traction.

Meanwhile, healthcare providers are seeing the consequences firsthand. In California, where a 2014–15 outbreak began at Disneyland, pediatricians have treated severely ill children and taken stricter stances on accepting unvaccinated patients. These outbreaks serve as a stark reminder that the threat of measles is real and recurring.