A New Federal Focus on Chronic Disease
On February 13, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order establishing the Make America Healthy Again Commission, chaired by Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This Commission aims to combat the growing crisis of chronic disease in the United States, particularly among children.
The Executive Order tackles a wide spectrum of issues—from unhealthy diets and chemical exposures to potential environmental triggers. However, the inclusion of electromagnetic (wireless) radiation as one such “potential contributing cause” to childhood chronic disease is making waves among public health advocates who have long sought federal attention to this issue.
Why This Executive Order Is a Game Changer
For years, the health impacts of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation (such as cell tower signals, Wi-Fi routers, and other wireless devices) have been largely overlooked by federal agencies—especially since the National Toxicology Program (NTP) had its funding halted last year. By explicitly mentioning electromagnetic radiation in the same breath as other recognized factors like diet, environmental chemicals, and lifestyle, the White House is signaling that RF (radiofrequency) and EMF research could be revived and taken seriously at the federal level.
Key Points of Significance:
- Government Acknowledgment: It’s possibly the first time an official White House order has so publicly recognized the need to examine wireless radiation.
- High-Profile Oversight: With RFK Jr. at the helm of HHS, the Commission’s mission to probe EMFs gains credibility and momentum.
- Reversal of Past Inertia: The halting of NTP research left critical questions about RF exposure unanswered. This Executive Order could pave the way for renewed studies.
Key Provisions of “Make America Healthy Again”
Sec. 4: Fighting Childhood Chronic Disease
Among the Commission’s initial tasks is to:
“Study the scope of the childhood chronic disease crisis and any potential contributing causes, including … electromagnetic radiation …”
It also mandates:
- Transparent, Fact-Based Information: Recommending how to inform the American public about childhood chronic diseases.
- Government-Wide Recommendations: Crafting policy strategies that address root causes—from diet and lifestyle to potential EMF exposures.
Why It Matters
This elevated focus on chronic diseases in kids acknowledges alarming statistics: higher rates of allergies, autoimmune disorders, neurological conditions, and, yes, possible links to RF radiation. By tying electromagnetic radiation to the conversation, there’s an implicit recognition that the science around non-thermal effects shouldn’t be dismissed.
Electromagnetic Radiation Under the Microscope
While most U.S. FCC guidelines revolve around thermal exposure limits, emerging research from around the globe (including the now-suspended NTP studies) suggests that non-thermal biological effects—like DNA damage, oxidative stress, and disruptions to the blood-brain barrier—may pose significant health risks.
Highlighting EMF in a Federal Initiative does the following:
- Signals New Priorities: The Commission could recommend further large-scale or “gold standard” studies.
- Invites Cross-Agency Collaboration: Entities such as the EPA, CDC, and NIH may join forces with the FDA and FCC to reassess and modernize safety guidelines.
- Opportunity for Public Input: Town halls, open comment periods, or expert roundtables might emerge, offering a platform for EMF safety advocates.
NTP Research Shutdown: A Troubling Backstory
A year ago, the National Toxicology Program—a well-respected federal research entity—ended its RF radiation studies after finding “clear evidence” of cancer in rats exposed to cell phone radiation levels. This abrupt defunding left advocates, scientists, and RFK Jr. himself questioning whether industry or political interests overrode critical public health research.
Key Takeaways:
- Funding Halt: Termination came despite the program’s groundbreaking insights into tumors like gliomas and schwannomas.
- Missed Opportunities: No follow-up studies addressed the potential non-thermal mechanisms of carcinogenesis.
- Public Law 90-602: Critics argue that ending NTP research violates the FDA’s duty under this 1968 law to continuously study electronic product radiation.
With this new Executive Order, there is hope that these lines of research might be reopened or newly funded, particularly now that RFK Jr. is in a position to influence federal health priorities.
How RFK Jr. and HHS Could Spur EMF Research
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has long championed transparency and robust science. As HHS Secretary, he can:
- Reinstate or Expand NTP Studies: Aligning with the Commission’s directive to address childhood chronic disease, he could push to revive the research pipeline halted last year.
- Prioritize Independent, Peer-Reviewed Projects: Encourage agencies like NIH to fund investigations into non-thermal EMF effects on children’s development, autoimmune disorders, and neurological health.
- Coordinate Cross-Agency Efforts: By working with the FCC, EPA, and others, HHS can help unify standards and close regulatory gaps on RF emissions.
With President Trump’s signature on the Executive Order, any newly recommended EMF studies or guidelines stand a better chance of being implemented at scale.
What’s Next for the EMF Safety Community
For advocates who have spent years warning about unexamined risks from Wi-Fi, cell towers, and 5G:
- A Seat at the Table: There may now be formal avenues—Commission hearings or public comment periods—to bring forward research and testimonials on EMF hazards.
- Potential for New Safety Guidelines: If the Commission’s work confirms significant health implications, it could lead to updated exposure limits or stricter regulations around children’s environments.
- Increased Public Awareness: Media coverage of the Commission’s findings could spur parents and communities to ask more questions about the devices and networks surrounding them.
A Possible Turning Point
By explicitly naming electromagnetic radiation as a factor in childhood chronic disease, this Presidential Order marks a step toward transparency and rigorous inquiry. With RFK Jr. at the helm of HHS, coupled with President Trump’s stated commitment to tackling health crises, the stage is set for a potential revival of EMF research in the United States.
Will this lead to the reinstatement of NTP studies or the development of new large-scale investigations? Could we finally see a comprehensive, gold-standard approach to understanding how wireless exposure intersects with the epidemic of chronic illnesses plaguing American children?
Time will tell, but one thing is certain: the EMF safety community has reason to be cautiously optimistic. For now, all eyes are on the Make America Healthy Again Commission, awaiting signs that the federal government is ready to confront this long-neglected issue and prioritize the health of its youngest citizens.