How leaders of the MAHA movement benefit from anti-science advocacy and promise profits to industry

"Two advisers to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. sat on a stage in California this spring, addressing an audience at a natural products industry trade show that drew tens of thousands of people from food brands, investment banks, supplement sellers and other companies. Their message: The goals of the Make America Healthy Again movement will help your bottom lines."

"It blows my mind that I'm going to watch the Republicans carry the supplement industry and the holistic health industry and chiropractors and the acupuncturists into the promised land, said Del Bigtree, according to video of the remarks obtained by The Associated Press. At the time, Bigtree was leading MAHA Action, one of the groups an AP investigation found pushing anti-science bills in states."

"Powerful anti-vaccine advocates and people selling potentially harmful goods such as raw milk are profiting from the push to write anti-science policies into law across the U.S. They object to the term anti-science and portray the MAHA movement as grassroots. But it's fueled by a web of well-funded national groups led by people who've profited financially and otherwise from sowing distrust of medicine and science."

Two advisers to U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke at a large natural products trade show, telling industry attendees that Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) goals would boost their profits. MAHA Action and allied groups have pushed state bills that critics label anti-science, and the legislation often appeals to business interests by promising increased sales for companies such as dairy farmers. Prominent anti-vaccine advocates and sellers of risky products, including raw milk, have profited financially and professionally from promoting distrust of medicine. The movement presents as grassroots but is supported by well-funded national organizations led by people who benefit from these efforts.

Read at www.mercurynews.com