Once defined by fast food, soda and processed snacks, the nation’s eating habits are shifting toward organic options and clean-label trends. Social media, with its influencers and advocates for wellness, has played a critical role in this evolution and making healthy lifestyles mainstream. Conscious eating is becoming the norm, reshaping how we define health and with a long overdue sense of urgency.

According to a 2021 CVS Health article that underscores this transition, a study found that people started to seek new avenues of care post-pandemic, using it as an opportunity to work on health goals and reexamine priorities.

In fact, the majority of people expressed that the COVID-19 pandemic led them to pay more attention to their health in general and 50% indicated previous stay-at-home orders helped them achieve their health goals.

If there’s one silver lining to the pandemic, it’s the heightened focus on personal well-being and preventive nutrition. Americans are finally prioritizing their health. But why did it take a crisis of this magnitude to spur action?

A new sprawling movement that taps into this growing trend is Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” movement — a phrase that cleverly mirrors Donald Trump’s infamous “Make America Great Again” slogan.

Unlike Trump’s rallying cry, Kennedy’s initiative addresses a more universal and urgent issue — America’s declining health. According to the WHO, more than 40% of U.S. adults suffer from obesity. This isn’t just a statistic, but an indictment of decades of negligence, both personal and systemic.

According to CBS News, Kennedy’s goal is to overhaul the broken systems that feed Americans, literally and figuratively. Through eradicating harmful chemicals like glyphosate and  addressing the overuse of pesticides, herbicides, food additives and seed oils, Kennedy is taking on the industries that profit from poor health.

He’s even challenging the once-unquestionable practice of water fluoridation. Whether or not others agree with his stances, the message is evident — the status quo is contributing to an overall decrease in health and it’s time for a radical change.

About half of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s budget comes from the pharmaceutical industry, amounting to around $3 billion. Companies must pay the FDA millions of dollars in exchange for the vetting of their products, a practice governed by the Prescription Drug User Fee Act.

One could speculate that this leads to a conflict of interests and that the FDA may be more susceptive to approving chemicals made by these large pharmaceutical companies than, for example, European regulators, who have roundly banned chemicals like artificial food dyes and trans fats.

Americans have been manipulated by decades of corporate greed and government complacency, which led to an epidemic of chronic diseases.

Americans have yearned for change for years. “MAHA” isn’t just a catchy slogan; it’s a bold step toward reversing poor dietary habits, chronic disease and a nefarious food industry.

Tackling the root causes of our health crisis isn’t a luxury but a necessity. The healthcare industry has been focusing on treating symptoms rather than preventing diseases. MAHA is a proactive approach that will be a part of the solution; it will not only save lives but also reduce healthcare costs and create a healthier and more sustainable society.

Concerns include how the FDA will make up for the $3 billion that the pharmaceutical industry gives them. Undoing fees could leave taxpayers effectively subsidizing a hefty bill previously paid for by drugmakers.

However, the focus of the concern is misplaced. A healthier population means a productive workforce and lower healthcare costs. Investing in health prevention will eventually benefit families, businesses and the economy as a whole.

The tradeoff of profits in the pharmaceutical industry for healthier society has long been an issue. While the U.S. is a true embodiment of capitalism, the freedom of profits should also have limits when it is at the expense of people’s health.

Americans’ health issues will only improve with decisive action. By focusing on accountability, transparency and awareness, MAHA can be a promising step toward addressing the issues that have plagued the nation for decades.