As a registered dietitian, I've dedicated my career to helping families live healthier lives through better nutrition. That is why I am encouraged to see the Make America Healthy Again Commission, which will focus on reversing childhood chronic disease.
Improving children's health means looking at the whole picture. We need to address the fundamental drivers of childhood well-being: access to nutritious food, regular physical activity, safe environments and adequate sleep. They are not controversial because they are foundational factors that are well-established in science. They're common sense.
As a dietitian, nutrition is my priority. It's not about what's in our food, but whether families can access healthy choices in the first place. Some of the early MAHA conversations around pesticide residue concerned me, not because we shouldn't ask questions, but because they implied our produce is unsafe. This does not reflect reality. The opposite is often true.
Modern agriculture, including the responsible use of pesticides, helps make healthy food more affordable and available. Without it, we risk higher grocery prices, increased food insecurity, and worse health outcomes for kids.
Of course, we should monitor and regulate pesticide use. We already do -- rigorously. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration enforce strict safety standards based on the latest science. When used according to the label, pesticide residues in food are well below thresholds that could pose a risk to human health, especially for children.
If we ignore that science and promote fear, the consequences are real. Families may shy away from fresh produce. Food costs could rise. Misinformation spreads quickly, and children will pay the price. A healthier country is one where every family can afford fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats. We can't achieve that goal if we allow misinformation to distort public understanding of how food is grown and produced.
I urge the MAHA Commission to adopt a balanced, evidence-based approach. Engage with registered dietitians, crop scientists, farmers, and public health professionals within and outside government.
We all want healthier children. That goal is too important to risk getting the science wrong. We can't make America healthy again unless the policies we promote help the families we serve. If the MAHA Commission takes this approach, I am confident we can address health challenges and increase positive health outcomes for American children.