Health

RFK Jr.’s MAHA Movement Obscures America’s Unhealthy Past

Published

11 months ago

January 13, 2025

RFK Jr.’s MAHA Movement Obscures America’s Unhealthy Past

“We will make Americans healthy again,” Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has declared. A political action committee that has promoted Mr. Kennedy, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s pick for health and human services secretary, says his movement is “igniting a health revolution in America.”

But the word “again” presumes a time in the country’s past when Americans were in better health. Was there ever really a time when America was healthier?

For historians of medicine, there is a short answer.

“No,” said Nancy Tomes, a historian at Stony Brook University.

John Harley Warner, a historian at Yale, said, “It’s hard for me to think of a time when America, with all the real health disparities that characterize our system, was healthier.”

Dr. Jeremy Greene, a historian at Johns Hopkins University, asked: “Which particular era does R.F.K. want to take us back to?”

Probably not the 19th and early 20th century.

Rich men smoked cigarettes and cigars, the poor chewed tobacco. Heavy drinking was the norm.

“It was definitely a drinking culture,” said Dora Costa, an economic historian at the University of California, Los Angeles. “Drinking was a huge problem, saloons were a huge concern. Men were drinking away their paychecks. That is the reason we had Prohibition.”

And, Dr. Costa notes, American diets for most of the 19th century were monotonous.

It’s true that agriculture at the time was organic, food was locally produced and there were no ultraprocessed foods. But fresh fruits and vegetables were in short supply because they were difficult to ship and because growing seasons were so short. For the most part, Dr. Costa said, until the 1930s, “Americans were living off of dried fruits and vegetables.”

As for protein, Americans were relying on salted pork, she said, because meat was difficult to preserve. Only after the Civil War did meatpackers in Chicago begin to process meat and ship fresh beef across the country. At that point, Dr. Costa said, beef “became a large part of the American diet.”

But even though the availability of beef helped diversify diets, people did not become healthier.

Dr. Costa worked with Robert Fogel, the University of Chicago economic historian and Nobel laureate, to understand the health of a population of Americans living in the North around this period by examining the medical records of Union Army soldiers. Common conditions, like hernias, were untreatable — men had hernias as big as grapefruits, held in by trusses. Nineteen percent of those soldiers had heart valve problems by the time they were 60, compared with about 8.5 percent today.

Poor nutrition led to poor health. People were thin, often too thin. In 1900, 6.1 percent of Union Army veterans were underweight — a risk factor for various illnesses and often a marker of ill health — compared with 1.6 percent of U.S. adults today. In 1850, males at age 20 could expect to live to around 61 years. Today it is 74 years.

The start of the 20th century saw public health improvements (cleaner water, for example, and posters advising parents not to give their babies beer), but disease was rampant. There were no antibiotics and very few vaccines. When the 1918 flu struck the nation, no one knew the cause — the flu virus had not been discovered and strange folk remedies were rampant. About 675,000 Americans died. In 1929, the Great Depression began, and its economic toll over the next decade led to severe nutritional and health problems.

Health improved in the second half of the 20th century but was poor compared with that today.

Many people are nostalgic for the 1950s and 1960s, seeing those decades as a time of prosperity, when the American pharmaceutical industry pumped out new medical advances: antibiotics, antipsychotics, drugs for high blood pressure and vaccines for tetanus, diphtheria, measles and polio.

Despite that progress, those years were terrible for health, Dr. Greene said, with “a tremendous amount of heart attacks and strokes.”

Heart disease was rampant in 1950, with 322 deaths per 100,000 Americans annually from cardiovascular disease, double the rate today. By 1960, Dr. Greene said, heart disease, was responsible for one-third of all deaths in America.

In part, that was because nearly everyone smoked.

“We were among the heaviest smoking countries,” said Samuel Preston, an emeritus professor of sociology at the University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. David F. Musto, a medical historian at Yale, who died in 2010, once said in an interview that although he never enjoyed smoking, the social pressure to smoke when he was in college in the 1950s was so great that “I felt it was my duty to find my brand.”

Smoking greatly increases the risk for heart disease, the leading killer in the 1950s and 1960s.

Heart disease death rates plummeted in recent decades because smoking is much less common now, and treatment for heart disease is much more effective. Cholesterol-lowering statins, introduced in 1987, reduced the risk of heart disease. Other new medications as well as bypass surgery and stents also saved lives.

Cancer was the second leading killer in the 1950s, as it is today. But in 1950, there were 194 cancer deaths per 100,000 people. Now there are 142 cancer deaths per 100,000 people.

A decline in smoking is a leading reason, but there also has been a revolution in cancer treatment.

Until the 1990s, cancer was treated with brute force: surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. Now an array of targeted therapies are turning some cancers, once deadly, into treatable chronic diseases or even curing them.

Dr. Greene said he was not surprised by the idea of a halcyon past when people were healthier.

“There’s a long history in America of nostalgia for a past that was better than the present,” he said. “History is all about erasure — the things we don’t choose to remember.”

Today is not a sort of health utopia, of course.

Researchers are quick to acknowledge that Americans’ health is not as good as it can be. And they bemoan the huge disparities in health care in this country.

Yet the U.S. spends more on medical care than other countries — an average of $12,555 per capita, which is about twice what other wealthy countries spend.

But, historians say, the past was actually much worse.

And so, they say, the phrase “Make America Healthy Again” makes no sense.

“As a historian of health, I don’t know what ‘again’ Kennedy is imagining,” Dr. Tomes said. “The idea that once upon a time all Americans were healthy is a fantasy.”

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Health

5 winter-weather essentials to protect skin health in dangerously cold temperatures

Published

8 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

5 winter-weather essentials to protect skin health in dangerously cold temperatures

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As winter weather moves in, cozy essentials like scarves, plush throws and heated bedding become everyday comforts.

But dermatologists caution that these cold-weather favorites can secretly undermine skin health — trapping sweat and bacteria, causing irritation and exposing the skin to excess heat.

Choosing the right materials for wellness — and using them safely — can make a big difference.

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Here are five winter must-haves and gift ideas, with expert tips on how to keep skin healthy and happy while staying warm this season.

Soft scarf, $19.99, Amazon.com

Scarves made of natural fiber, like this one that is 100% cotton, may help if you’re prone to irritation. (Amazon)

A soft scarf is a staple for cold days and an easy way to elevate a winter outfit.

Yet, if breakouts are appearing along the neck, jawline or chest, that favorite accessory may be part of the problem.

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“You should wash your scarf as often as your clothes to prevent breakouts,” Annabelle Taurua, a beauty expert at Fresha, a beauty and wellness booking platform headquartered in London, told Fox News Digital.

Cotton is a better choice than polyester, she also noted, as it’s more breathable and allows sweat to evaporate.

Fluffy blankets, $28.97, Potterybarn.com

Fluffy blankets make for perfect cozy days at home, but their soft fibers can trap sweat, oils and dead skin — which can clog pores and encourage bacteria growth. (Pottery Barn)

Fluffy blankets make for perfect cozy days at home, but their soft fibers can trap sweat, oils and dead skin, which can clog pores and encourage bacteria growth.

Rough textures or infrequent washing can also irritate sensitive skin and worsen breakouts.

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“Regularly wash your blankets, especially those made from synthetic or fluffy materials, to remove built-up oils and dirt,” Taurua advised.

She recommended breathable materials like cotton or linen, as well as hypoallergenic options for anyone prone to irritation.

Good set of sheets, $49.99, Amazon.com

Much like scarves, natural fibers are the way to go for your linens to avoid irritation. (iStock)

Cold weather makes lingering in bed especially tempting, but lying on unwashed bedding can worsen acne.

Pillowcases and sheets quickly collect oil, bacteria and dead skin cells, which transfer directly onto the face.

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“Washing bedding frequently is important,” Taurua said. “You should aim to change and wash your pillowcases every two to three days and your sheets at least once a week.”

Heated blanket, $33.99, Walmart.com

Heated blankets are a great way to stay warm during the winter. (Walmart)

When using a heated blanket, start with the lowest heat setting and limit use, said Taurua.

“Once you’re warm, switch to a regular blanket,” she advised.

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She also said it’s best to avoid direct contact for long periods to reduce irritation.

Hot water bottle, $12.99, Amazon.com

A traditional winter staple, hot water bottles offer quick comfort — but they come with risks similar to heated blankets, including burns, scalding and long-term heat-related skin damage.

Hot water bottles should never be filled with boiling water, experts advise. (Amazon)

“Never fill a hot water bottle with boiling water,” Taurua said.

“Only use hot, not boiling, water, and fill it to a maximum of two-thirds.”

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She recommended wrapping the bottle in a towel or cover to avoid direct skin contact and limiting use to around 20 minutes.

Khloe Quill is a lifestyle production assistant with Fox News Digital. She and the lifestyle team cover a range of story topics including food and drink, travel, and health.

Health

Foods and Drinks That Help With Bloating: Flatten Your Belly in Days

Published

19 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

Foods and Drinks That Help With Bloating: Flatten Your Belly in Days

Foods That Help With Bloating and Shrink Your Waist Fast | Woman’s World

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Health

What to know about Cushing’s syndrome, which led to Amy Schumer’s dramatic weight loss

Published

20 hours ago

December 13, 2025

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What to know about Cushing’s syndrome, which led to Amy Schumer’s dramatic weight loss

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Comedian Amy Schumer, 44, has recently come clean about her struggle with Cushing’s syndrome, leading to a dramatic weight loss.

Schumer’s transformation has sparked conversation online, to which she responded in a now-deleted Instagram post that shut down speculation about cosmetic enhancements.

“I didn’t lose 30lbs — I lost 50,” she emphasized on social media, adding that she does not get Botox or filler.

AMY SCHUMER DROPPED 50 POUNDS TO BATTLE DISEASE THAT ‘CAN KILL YOU’ IF UNTREATED

Schumer doubled down that her weight loss was not about her appearance, but about staying alive.

“Not to look hot, which does feel fun and temporary,” she said. “I did it to survive. I had a disease that makes your face extremely puffy that can kill you, but the internet caught it and that disease has cleared.”

Amy Schumer attends Variety’s 2024 Power of Women: New York event on May 2, 2024, in New York City on the left. On the right, Schumer later poses for a photo posted to Instagram after her weight loss. (Marleen Moise/WireImage; Amy Schumer/Instagram)

“Sorry for whatever feeling it’s giving you that I lost that weight,” she added. “I’ve had plastic surgery over the years and I use [Mounjaro]. Sorry to anyone they let down. I’m pain free. I can [play] tag with my son.”

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The actress also addressed her shifting hormones, saying that she’s “happy to share more if anyone has any questions about how I’m looking or feeling or where I am in my perimenopause process.”

“I didn’t lose 30lbs — I lost 50,” Schumer emphasized on social media, adding that she does not get Botox or filler. (Amy Schumer/Instagram)

What is Cushing’s syndrome?

Schumer previously revealed that she had been diagnosed with Cushing’s syndrome, a hormonal disorder that can cause extreme swelling, fatigue and potentially fatal complications.

Dr. Peter Balazs, a hormone and weight loss specialist in New Jersey, provided more details on the condition in an interview with Fox News Digital.

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“Cushing’s syndrome is caused by prolonged, high exposure to cortisol, which is your body’s main stress hormone,” he said. “Usually, the excess cortisol is a result of prolonged steroid use. We see this many times with patients who have some autoimmune disorder.”

Balazs said the “key” to Cushing’s syndrome is not just weight gain, but a “specific redistribution” of fat caused by too much cortisol.

Amy Schumer is photographed during a guest interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Feb. 13, 2024 (left), and later seen walking through midtown New York City on Oct. 28, 2025 (right). (Todd Owyoung/NBC via Getty Images; Raymond Hall/GC Images/Getty Images)

Fat may be driven to the abdomen, chest, upper back (referred to as a “buffalo hump”) or face, sometimes considered “moon face,” the doctor said.

Cortisol also breaks down protein, which leads to a thinning in the arms and legs. “Weight gain can be tough, involuntary and hard to manage,” Balazs added.

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Cortisol stimulates “hunger centers” in the brain, raises blood sugar and promotes fat storage, especially deep belly fat, according to the doctor.

Cushing’s syndrome can also cause high blood pressure, bone loss and sometimes type 2 diabetes, per Mayo Clinic.

In addition to weight gain in certain areas, other symptoms may include pink or purple stretch marks on the stomach, hips, thighs, breasts and underarms, as well as acne, slow wound healing, and thin, frail skin that bruises easily.

With Cushing’s syndrome, fat may accumulate in the abdomen, chest, face or upper back (referred to as a “buffalo hump”). (iStock)

Women with Cushing’s syndrome often experience thick, dark hair on the face and body, as well as irregular periods. Symptoms among men can include a lower sex drive, reduced fertility and erectile dysfunction.

Mayo Clinic listed other potential symptoms, including extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, depression, anxiety, irritability, mood swings, trouble with concentration and memory, headache, sleeplessness, skin darkening and stunted growth in children.

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Those with symptoms should contact their doctor immediately, especially if they are taking steroids to treat health issues like asthma, arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease, as these medications can exacerbate the condition.

The Mayo Clinic has reported that the “sooner treatment starts, the better the chances for recovery.”

“I’ve had plastic surgery over the years and I use [Mounjaro],” Schumer stated in a social media post. (George Frey/Bloomberg)

For patients like Schumer, weight loss is typically not the main goal, Balazs noted, but it is a “critical sign” of successful treatment.

“The primary goal is to normalize your high cortisol levels,” he said. “I believe Amy Schumer got treated first for her underlying problem. Once the cortisol is normalized, which is the most important step, there’s a role to use adjunct medications to decrease weight.”

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Among GLP-1s, Mounjaro is an “excellent choice to decrease deep belly fat and increase insulin sensitivity of cells,” Balazs added.

Fox News Digital’s Stephanie Giang-Paunon contributed to this report.

Fox News Digital reached out to Schumer’s rep requesting comment.

Angelica Stabile is a lifestyle reporter for Fox News Digital.