Two advisers to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attended a natural products trade show in California earlier this spring aiming to promote the agenda of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement to an audience invested in health and wellness.
Del Bigtree, a key figure in the MAHA movement, conveyed that the goals of MAHA would substantially benefit the businesses involved, remarking, It blows my mind that I’m watching the Republicans carry the supplement industry and holistic practitioners into the promised land. This statement shines a light on the push to script anti-science narratives into legislation across the nation, a push that has gained traction among advocates profiting from alternative health initiatives.
The MAHA movement comprises a coalition of well-funded organizations pushing against conventional medical practices under the guise of supporting health and wellness. Despite their claims of grassroots initiatives, the movement’s backing from powerful interests reveals a complex relationship between profits and policies intended to undermine traditional medicine and public health guidelines.
Among the proponents of anti-science legislation are figures like Casey Means, the surgeon general nominee, who has vested interests in various health products and technologies. Bigtree emphasized the financial advantages being drawn from current legislation framed to enhance consumer freedoms while simultaneously increasing profiteering for the health industries involved.
Furthermore, laws such as the recent bill legalizing raw milk in Delaware indicate a clear trend where economic incentives for industries are prioritized over public health standards, with advocates reiterating the potential profitability for farmers to legally sell raw milk despite the associated health risks.
Historically, the movement has seen significant economic advantage for its leaders, with Bigtree receiving large sums for his work in support of Kennedy's campaigns. In tandem, the MAHA trademark was transferred to a company he manages, further intertwining personal profit with political advocacy.
The altar of wellness operated by activists like Bigtree calls for a reframing of the conversation surrounding health—one that places alternative health products and supplements at the forefront of the political agenda, as they pivot towards profits by championing narratives against 'big pharma.'
This ongoing battle raises questions about the ethical implications of promoting such controversial practices while prioritizing personal and industry financial growth amid public health concerns.
