Northwoods Reporter

Matthew Rust, chairman of St. Croix County Republicans, said that the MAHA Commission is spearheading a science-based initiative to prioritize children's health by addressing long-overlooked root causes and focusing on prevention.

"It's great to see this organization putting the health of our nation's children's before convenience and corporate interests," said Rust. "By directly addressing the root causes of our childhood health epidemic, the MAHA Commission is putting American kids first. Their research has highlighted four key hazards: processed diets, chemical exposures, digital saturation, and excessive medical treatments. Returning to a common sense, researched-backed approach is long overdue and the type of systematic change Americans voted for last November."

The Hill reported that the Trump administration’s MAHA Commission, led by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., released its inaugural report on the root causes of America’s childhood health crisis. The report identifies four key contributors: ultraprocessed foods, toxic environmental chemicals, digital overexposure, and overmedicalization. It highlights concerning trends in physical and mental health and calls for urgent investigation into substances such as glyphosate, atrazine, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), and phthalates. Additionally, it raises concerns about the increasing use of medication and vaccines in children. Rather than advocating for premature regulations, the Commission emphasizes the need for gold-standard research and transparency to restore scientific integrity and prioritize children's long-term health.

According to a 2021 report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, ultraprocessed foods now constitute nearly 70% of the daily caloric intake among U.S. children and adolescents—a significant increase over the past two decades. These foods are high in added sugars, unhealthy fats, and additives, which are strongly linked to the growing prevalence of childhood obesity affecting more than 20% of children aged 6–19. The high consumption of such products has also been associated with an increased risk of metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

In an October 3, 2024 post titled ‘PFAS Explained,’ the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that exposure to harmful environmental chemicals like PFAS has become nearly universal among American children. According to the EPA, PFAS are found in the blood of approximately 97% of the U.S. population. These chemicals pose serious health risks to children, including developmental delays, immune system suppression, and endocrine disruption due to their persistence in the environment and bioaccumulative nature.

Rust was first elected as Chairman of St. Croix County Republicans in 2023. According to their website, he is "focused on boosting Republican voter turnout, growing the Party’s membership, and communicating the Party’s positions on issues that matter to St. Croix County voters."