The MAHA report on ADHD is misleading — a researcher explains why

On this bonus episode of Hyperfocus, we dive into the controversial new “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) report, released by a commission led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The 73-page document claims to explain what it calls a rise in “childhood chronic diseases” like ADHD, by pointing fingers at antibiotics, food dyes, and even a lack of outdoor play. But there’s a major catch: some of the report’s sources don’t actually exist. 

In the first of a two-part series, Dr. KJ Wynne — a Harvard-trained population health researcher — joins the conversation to unpack how the report was assembled and where it falls short, particularly regarding ADHD. From debunking flawed claims to clarifying what real research actually says, this episode sets the record straight. 

Related resources

• ADHD meds at risk? Unpacking the new executive order, DEA proposal
• Read the MAHA report 
• A history of learning disabilities and ADHD
• How ADHD medication works

Timestamps

(02:40) Questionable methodology and AI hallucinations 

(06:26) Are more people developing ADHD, or are we getting better at diagnosing?

(10:04) Do antibiotics really increase the risk of ADHD?

(17:02) Parsing through big claims on stimulant medications

(26:00) Do stimulants cause height loss? 

For a transcript and more resources, visit the Hyperfocus page on Understood.

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