What's Happening

Health

MAHA Is Sounding the Alarm… On Everything

What's going on: Sorry parents — your kids might be part of “the sickest generation” in American history, according to the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission. The group released a 68-page report yesterday detailing its findings on childhood chronic illness — after about three months of investigation (yes, somehow that’s all it took for a nationwide diagnosis). The report blamed the overuse of prescriptions, pesticides, stress, and a lack of exercise for children’s poor health. It conceded that ultra-processed foods help families save time and money, but linked them to chronic diseases. (This is not what Big Snack wants to hear.) There are some limitations: The committee didn’t distinguish children by age, potentially ignoring factors like vaping, drinking, or sexually transmitted diseases. Betting that doesn’t make parents feel any better.

What it means: Like Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s broader approach to policy, the report’s findings pull elements from controversial theories. For example, it suggests the rise in autism is linked to artificial food dyes or environmental toxins (it’s not), and it questions the proven success of vaccines. But some doctors say the report hits the mark on one front: America’s nutrition crisis. It also calls out the US for pouring money into treatment instead of prevention — a point many Americans agree with. Now, the commission has 100 days to come up with a plan for the federal government to, apparently, Make America Healthy Again. It already proposed new research and study ideas, but left out one important detail: the price tag. And, we all know how expensive American health care can be.

Related: Some Babies Could Get $1,000 in “Trump Accounts” Under GOP Bill (CNBC)

Politics

The Art of the Meal

What's going on: The average cost for a seat at President Donald Trump’s crypto dinner last night? $1.79 million in digital devotion. About 200 guests gathered at his Virginia golf club after spending a collective $148 million on his meme coin $TRUMP. Their reward for holding onto the coin: steak, status, a few hours in the president's orbit, and a chance to win a Trump-branded watch. Among the not-so-official guest list: Justin Sun (duct-taped banana buyer), Morten Christensen (crypto-loving poker bro), and one Kardashian ex. A Bloomberg analysis found at least 19 of the top 25 wallets likely belonged to foreign investors. And while Trump plays host, his family quietly profits — they own 80% of the coin and have already raked in over $300 million.

What it means: This isn’t just a dinner — it’s a blueprint for how Trump is monetizing proximity to power. Critics view Trump’s business dealings as a blatant abuse of the presidency — one that’s designed to put more money into his family’s pockets. Since launching his 2024 campaign, Trump has more than doubled his net worth, now estimated at $5.4 billion, according to Bloomberg. That surge is partly fueled by billions in real estate deals, his social media company, and a growing crypto venture. The White House, meanwhile, insists Trump isn’t breaking any conflict-of-interest laws and says the dinner was about “GOOD deals for the American people.” But based on the protests outside last night’s event, many don’t agree.

Related: Federal Judge Halts Trump From Revoking International Students’ Legal Status (CBS)

Lifestyle

Your Wearable Might Be Stressing You Out

What's going on: That cute, handy ring on your finger? It might be making you more anxious. In what The New York Times calls “Oura paranoia,” more users of wearable health technology are reporting an unintended digital side effect: spiraling health anxiety. Since Fitbit’s release in 2009, some wearable users say they’ve become obsessed with checking stats, leading to anxious behaviors, and in some cases, worsened eating disorders. And it’s not just daytime stats like step count: In 2017, one doctor coined the term “orthosomnia,” an unhealthy fixation with sleep tracking. But it’s not all doom and digital gloom. Wearables have encouraged awareness, more movement, and, in some cases, flagged real health issues.

What it means: Wearable tech promises something a lot of us want right now: control. Or at least the illusion of it. But experts warn that too much data isn’t always helpful — and chasing perfect health stats can backfire. Also worth remembering: that sense of control often means handing your personal health data to a third party. So, how to keep “Oura Paranoia” at bay? Doctors say start by listening less to your app and more to your body. In some cases, ditching the device might be the healthiest move. Your body may not send push notifications, but it’s still trying to tell you something.

Related: Hate To Break It to You, but You Might Be in a “Hypernormalized” State (The Guardian)