The "Make America Healthy Again" Movement: A Deep Dive into the Means Nomination and Internal Conflicts
The "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) movement continues its push into federal health policy with the nomination of Dr. Casey Means as Surgeon General by President Trump. This move, championed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., signals a strong commitment to reshaping the nation’s approach to health and wellness. However, the nomination has also exposed underlying tensions and rivalries within the MAHA coalition, revealing its reactive and conspiratorial nature.
Who is Dr. Casey Means?
Dr. Casey Means is described as a "metabolic health evangelist" who has gained significant influence through social media and her health tech company, Levels. Levels markets at-home glucose monitors, which Means advocates for use by the general population, even though studies haven’t demonstrated a benefit for those without diabetes. This approach aligns with Kennedy’s vision of addressing the obesity crisis by investing in preventative measures like glucose monitoring rather than focusing solely on weight-loss drugs.
Means co-authored the bestselling book "Good Energy" with her brother, Calley Means, further solidifying her position as a MAHA champion. The book introduces a theory of "metabolic dysfunction," suggesting that poor diets and sedentary lifestyles lead to energy production problems in the body, causing chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and even mental health conditions. While metabolic health is a valid area of scientific research, experts suggest Means’s commentary is often overly simplistic.
Some critics argue that Means’s approach can veer into spiritual territory, discussing concepts like "dark energy" and suggesting the brain is a receiver of divine energy. She also sees people’s ill health as a spiritual and physical issue. This holistic view, combined with her criticism of vaccines, has raised concerns among public health experts who view her as anti-science and unqualified for the Surgeon General position. It’s also worth noting that her medical license lapsed in 2019.
Arthur Caplan, a medical ethicist at New York University, stated that appointing Means would mean putting a "fringe practitioner of unproven functional medicine" in charge of public health education.
Despite these criticisms, Kennedy believes Means is "the perfect choice" for Surgeon General, emphasizing her unconventional approach as a positive attribute. He believes she can drive the elimination of diabetes, heart disease, and obesity by prioritizing metabolic health, ultimately making American children healthier.
The Surgeon General’s Role and Means’s Potential Impact
While the Surgeon General does not have direct policy-making power, the position holds significant influence in shaping the national conversation on health. Dr. Vivek Murthy, Biden’s Surgeon General, brought attention to the loneliness epidemic and advocated for cancer warnings on alcohol packaging.
Means has already outlined her priorities, including reducing corporate influence in health and food, limiting ultraprocessed foods in the American diet, reforming the meatpacking industry, and promoting overall wellness. These priorities align with Kennedy’s agenda, which aims to address a wide range of health-related issues, from vaccine safety to food additives.
Internal Conflicts within the MAHA Movement
Surprisingly, Means’s nomination has sparked outrage from some within the MAHA universe, who view her as insufficiently committed to the movement’s goals, particularly regarding vaccine skepticism. Some anti-vaccine activists believe the focus has shifted from vaccine safety to food wellness, and Means’s appointment has amplified those concerns.
Nicole Shanahan, Kennedy’s former vice-presidential candidate, even speculated that Kennedy’s decisions were being controlled by someone else, calling the Means siblings "aggressive and artificial." Far-right commentator Laura Loomer referred to Means as a "Witch Doctor."
Trump stated that he selected Means based on Kennedy’s recommendation, suggesting the conflict is more about interpersonal rivalries rather than a fundamental shift in the MAHA agenda. Kennedy has fostered an environment where conspiracy theories are common, and the disappointment over Means’s endorsement has led some supporters to see conspiracies at play.
Kennedy’s Broader Agenda and MAHA’s Political Potency
The MAHA movement encompasses various beliefs, including vaccine skepticism, elaborate theories about chronic disease, eliminating environmental toxins, and eradicating corruption in the health system. While Means may bring a specific focus on food and wellness, Kennedy has been actively addressing a wide range of issues.
Since becoming health secretary, Kennedy has downplayed the efficacy of the measles shot, questioned mRNA vaccine technology, launched a vaccine safety investigation, and ordered a probe into autism’s causes. He has also sought voluntary commitments from food manufacturers to remove artificial dyes and has attempted to crack down on additives in ultraprocessed foods. Furthermore, the FDA and NIH have launched a research initiative to study the effects of certain foods on metabolism.
The controversy surrounding Means’s nomination highlights the reactive and conspiratorial nature of the MAHA movement. Despite internal disagreements, the movement’s key figures are rapidly working to reshape the country’s approach to health care. Means’s appointment is not a sign of the movement fracturing but rather a sign of Kennedy doubling down on his agenda.
The MAHA movement’s political potency, like Trump’s MAGA movement, is aided by its flexibility. "Make America Healthy Again" can have different meanings for different people, appealing to a wide range of individuals, from anti-vaxxers to wellness influencers. However, this ambiguity presents challenges in governing, as different constituencies have different priorities and preferences. Even if Kennedy sticks to his campaign agenda, some members of the coalition are likely to feel alienated and voice their grievances publicly, as seen in the reactions to Means’s nomination.
