The Trump administration is bad for your health
MAHA MYTH-BUSTING
What is MAHA?
The Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) campaign claims that it will improve public health, environmental sustainability, and government accountability.
In reality, MAHA pushes harmful policies that dismantle vital public health agencies, disregard scientific consensus, and strip away healthcare for women, girls, gender diverse people, and marginalized communities.
MAHA is led by health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is known for spreading medical misinformation and denying scientific consensus.
Sources: The Copper Courier, MAHA PAC
Why is this a feminist issue?
The medical system has let a lot of women down, and far-right conservatives are using this as an opportunity to target women. MAHA is an entry point into the alt-right pipeline, disguised as “information” about women’s and children’s health.
Momfluencers and wellness influencers, also known as “MAHA Moms”, have had their motherhood and health concerns weaponized against them for the alt-right agenda.
MAHA’s goal is not to empower women: it is to make our lives smaller and to control our bodies. This campaign is run by the same people who are pushing policies based on wellness pseudoscience while stripping away reproductive care and abortion rights.
MAHA’s policies are based on pseudoscience.
MAHA’s official report cited nonexistent studies and when it cited real studies, it misinterpreted their findings. It is suspected that generative artificial intelligence, which often creates false information, was used to write the report.
Sources: Politifact, NOTUS, AFP Fact Check
The Trump administration does not care about the health of mothers.
The Trump administration has implemented a series of policies that undermine the health of pregnant and postpartum people. Their actions include firing maternal and child healthcare staff, dismantling the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline, pausing the collection of pregnancy healthcare data, and removing reproductive health care website ReproductiveRights.gov.
Source: The Commonwealth Fund
The majority of U.S. adults support the right to abortion.
Despite Trump’s efforts to ban abortion and defund Planned Parenthood, research shows that the majority (63%) of U.S. adults believe that abortion should be legal in all or most cases.
Sources: Pew Research
Vaccines do not cause autism.
Decades of scientific research show that there is no link between vaccines and autism. Experts say that the rising number of autism diagnoses is partly due to growing awareness about the condition. There is no single known cause for autism.
Sources: France 24, World Health Organization
Raw milk does not provide health benefits.
Raw milk can pose a health risk, as bird flu has been detected in some U.S. dairy. Extensive studies show that raw milk has no benefits that regular (pasteurized) milk does not have.
Sources: Sentient Media
Fluoride in your water is safe and healthy.
Scientific consensus says that water fluoridation is a safe way to reduce tooth decay, and is especially beneficial for children who lack access to good dental care. There is no strong or conclusive evidence that consuming fluoride at recommended levels lowers IQ, despite RFK Jr.’s claims.
Sources: FactCheck.org
Animal fat is not healthier than seed oil.
Butter, lard, beef tallow and other animal fats are high in saturated fat, which is linked to higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Seed oils contain omega-6 fatty acids, which your body needs in small amounts to help protect you from heart disease.
Sources: Sentient Media, The Atlantic, Cleveland Clinic
Gender-affirming care is safe and backed by science.
Transgender identities have been medically recognized since the early 1900s, and gender-affirming surgeries have been performed for over 50 years. Gender-affirming care significantly reduces rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide. It has high satisfaction rates, and the small percentage of people who choose to detransition typically do so due to transphobia from others, rather than regretting the procedure.
Sources: GLAAD, Trans Can Work
TAKE ACTION
→ Be vigilant in how you seek health information online as there are people spreading misinformation to vulnerable groups. Always seek medical advice
from a certified medical professional.
→ Speak to your family, friends,
and loved ones about debunking
medical misinformation.
→ Learn how you can fight back
against the Trump administration in the Opposition Playbook.