Make America Healthy Again
Secretary Bobby Kennedy Jr. arrived in Washington, DC riding the momentum of a unifying message: “Make America Healthy Again.” This slogan resonated deeply because it spoke a truth that many Americans have come to accept – we are a sick nation in need of real solutions for better health. The real question isn’t whether Americans want to be healthy – it is how to get there. What forces are keeping us sick?
To understand that, we must look back at a moment that exposed the deep divide in our nation's approach to health: the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the pandemic, over 81% of the U.S. population received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, with 70% considered fully vaccinated. Most did so under the guidance of medical doctors and public health authorities, trusting the information put out at the time. Others leaned on their daily choices – prioritizing clean eating, movement, and natural immunity. Their logic: If I am living a healthy life, I should be okay without the shot(s). In retrospect, many Americans now believe that the media and health officials misled the public, prioritizing profit over public health. But one truth emerged from both sides: Americans deeply desire to be healthy. Whether vaccinated or not, people chose what they believed was the healthiest path forward.
Now in office, Secretary Kennedy is taking aim at another trillion-dollar threat – the processed food conglomerates that have long evaded scrutiny. Unlike past battles over MMR vaccines or pharmaceutical price-gouging, this fight is not about medical intervention. It is about what we eat every day. And reforming our food system is not as simple as banning every harmful ingredient overnight. The processed food industry is deeply woven into our economy – changing it will be a monumental task.
So why not just ban the bad stuff? Why is it so hard, even for the nation’s top health official, to challenge trillion-dollar corporations?
To understand the scale of the challenge, consider the market capitalizations of these 10 food giants:
Coca-Cola ($KO) – $313.17B
Nestlé ($NESN.SW) – $280.11B
McDonald’s Co. ($MCD) – $220.76B
PepsiCo ($PEP) – $194.38B
Mars Inc., Kraft-Heinz, General Mills, Tyson Foods, J.M. Smucker, Campbell’s – Combined: ~$168B
Total market cap: $1.18 trillion.
If these companies are forced to clean up their ingredients or pay penalties for violating new health codes, their production costs will rise – cutting into profits and dragging down stock values. And here’s the twist: those stocks are the backbone of many Americans’ retirement accounts via popular mutual funds like VTSAX, VFIAX, and SPY (source: Investipedia, Yahoo Finance).
Imagine if Coca-Cola were forced to reformulate to comply with new health standards. We do not even know exactly what is in Coca-Cola – the formula remains a trade secret. Could it spark another “New Coke” fiasco like in 1985, when a recipe change nearly toppled the brand? Or worse – trigger ripple effects across retirement accounts and mutual funds nationwide?
This is where health policy meets economic reality. Financial stress impacts mental health, relationships, and access to care – all crucial components of wellness. So while it is tempting to say “let the corporations collapse” – such consequences could hurt millions of Americans.
Secretary Kennedy must strike a careful balance between disrupting harmful practices and preserving economic stability. Behind closed doors, you can be sure large-cap corporations will hold the American people hostage and use their financial leverage to push back – and they will do so aggressively.
A Feasible Path Forward
So, what’s the most realistic outcome? Warning labels. Expect clear, visual warnings on harmful ingredients – much like the Surgeon General’s warning on cigarettes. This time, it might be cereal boxes or soda cans.
Labels provide information and choice without dismantling major industries overnight. And once informed, Americans tend to vote with their wallets. Just like with New Coke – when the people push back, corporations notice.
Some of the most dangerous additives – like synthetic food dyes linked to neurological issues in children – may be banned outright. They are already restricted in many countries. These bans, paired with informed purchasing, give room for healthier alternatives to rise – offering a smoother transition from the old guard to a new generation of food champions.
The Power of Consumer Behavior
While government policy can nudge change, the real power lies in consumer behavior. Every dollar spent is a vote for the kind of food system we want. Choosing water over soda, or whole foods over processed snacks, speaks louder than legislation. Money talks. The best way to speak your mind is to spend your mind – align your purchases with your principles, and you shift the power. This includes aligning your investments in companies that reflect your values.
By spending our minds, both in what we buy and how we invest, we take away corporate leverage – and give negotiators like Secretary Kennedy much firmer ground to stand on.
Tip: Use tools like EWG's Food Scores or the Yuka app to check ingredients before buying.
Even before taking office, RFK, Jr. inspired millions to think critically about health. He encouraged healthy skepticism, independent research, and community care – values that empower people to reclaim their well-being. We, the People, still hold the power, but only if we remain conscious of where our money is going – and who benefits from our choices.
Until Americans shift the incentives of companies and politicians from making themselves richer to making us healthier, it’s up to us to rely on each other – and to spend our money wisely.
Making America Healthy Again will not happen overnight. And it will not come from a single office or executive order. It is a movement that begins at home, in the grocery aisle, and in everyday conversations. It starts the moment you read a label, question a commercial, or choose real food over fake promises.
Secretary Kennedy may be our figurehead – but the real leaders are the families, coaches, and communities reclaiming their health – one informed decision at a time.
DISCLAIMER: The content on the blog for Health Hive, LLC is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. The information contained in this blog should not be used to diagnose, treat or prevent any disease or health illness. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. Please consult with your physician or other qualified healthcare professional before acting on any information presented here.