Appreciate your science-/evidence-based and balanced perspective. There is a lot I could say in response to this post, but one thought that keeps coming back to me is how the word ‘research’ is so misused by people who don’t actually understand what it means.
Research is something that people with science backgrounds are trained to do - from idea, to study design, to conduct, to analysis and publication of results. What most people are referring to when they say they ‘do their own research’ is really just reviewing information from a source.
This may seem nuanced, but misuse of a word degrades its meaning and importance over time. Most lay people don’t know how to interpret actual study data (identify bias, poor study design, etc.), so they are mostly getting their ‘research’ from social media and news outlets that are summarizing for them (from their own, and likely biased, perspective).
Let’s start with defining what research actually is, and stop using the term to describe scrolling the internet for information.
MAHA’s belief (according to you): “[Our nationwide health problems are caused by] institutional malice that includes corrupt scientists, poisoned food, and overmedicated children.”
Your belief on what causes our nationwide health problems: “We’ve allowed corporate influence to shape policy through campaign finance laws that give industry enormous sway over what gets regulated and what doesn’t, resulting in a system that too often protects profits over public health.”
Is protecting profits over health not malice? You think executives of these companies are unaware of the harm they’re causing? You’re a very eloquent writer, but you’re manipulating the conclusion. Your criticisms of the American health landscape are exactly the same as MAHA’s.
Not holding the right people accountable are we? Who is electing the same wrong people who are allowing the campaign finance laws to happen? The scourge is MAHA sending hearts and flowers to president Trump and RFK jr and ( I saw this with my own eyes more than once) posting negative comments about democrats’ who are the ones that are not controlling Congress 6 out of the last 10 years and have no power these last few years to effect change.
Excellent read! I hold an MA Ed Trauma Studies, and wanted to share an additional angle from that lens. I’ve been horrified by the MAHA agenda. Look forward to following your work! .//open.substack.com/pub/melanielynnbrown/p/the-biology-of-being-broke?utm_source=app-post-stats-page&r=2j7bke&utm_medium=ios
I’m an older mom. If you don’t buy unhealthy stuff they will not make it anymore. I didn’t for my kids and they don’t do it for their kids. If we all do that it will take care of itself. It’s not so hard. The government really can do what it needs to do.
I totally understand what you're saying, but I think the answer isn't that simple for everyone, sadly. Some people only have access to the "unhealthy" choices (she explained in the article about places that don't have grocery stores). Additionally, many people are over worked and don't have time to turn ingredients into meals. We're lucky that we have choices when it comes to our kids. Not everyone does.
Your comment leans into the idea that not only will the market fix itself (and it hasn't), but also ties directly into what she says, "The burden of staying healthy is placed squarely on the individual".
This is a much larger issue than "If you don't buy it, they won't make it". She explains pretty well why were are here, how we got here, and actionable things we can do that can create beneficial change. It's a lot more than not buying unhealthy foods.
The root of almost all the policies you mentioned is greed. Maximizing profits seems more important than maximizing health.
Appreciate your science-/evidence-based and balanced perspective. There is a lot I could say in response to this post, but one thought that keeps coming back to me is how the word ‘research’ is so misused by people who don’t actually understand what it means.
Research is something that people with science backgrounds are trained to do - from idea, to study design, to conduct, to analysis and publication of results. What most people are referring to when they say they ‘do their own research’ is really just reviewing information from a source.
This may seem nuanced, but misuse of a word degrades its meaning and importance over time. Most lay people don’t know how to interpret actual study data (identify bias, poor study design, etc.), so they are mostly getting their ‘research’ from social media and news outlets that are summarizing for them (from their own, and likely biased, perspective).
Let’s start with defining what research actually is, and stop using the term to describe scrolling the internet for information.
Absolutely nailed it.
Great article. You're spot on
Poverty. Food deserts. For starters.
From one RD to another working in pediatric clinical nutrition, you nailed it! Just saw you on MSNBC and we need you! You go girl!
I appreciate that this ultimately built toward a call to action, not just another shame loop.
So, let me get this straight…
MAHA’s belief (according to you): “[Our nationwide health problems are caused by] institutional malice that includes corrupt scientists, poisoned food, and overmedicated children.”
Your belief on what causes our nationwide health problems: “We’ve allowed corporate influence to shape policy through campaign finance laws that give industry enormous sway over what gets regulated and what doesn’t, resulting in a system that too often protects profits over public health.”
Is protecting profits over health not malice? You think executives of these companies are unaware of the harm they’re causing? You’re a very eloquent writer, but you’re manipulating the conclusion. Your criticisms of the American health landscape are exactly the same as MAHA’s.
Not holding the right people accountable are we? Who is electing the same wrong people who are allowing the campaign finance laws to happen? The scourge is MAHA sending hearts and flowers to president Trump and RFK jr and ( I saw this with my own eyes more than once) posting negative comments about democrats’ who are the ones that are not controlling Congress 6 out of the last 10 years and have no power these last few years to effect change.
Excellent read! I hold an MA Ed Trauma Studies, and wanted to share an additional angle from that lens. I’ve been horrified by the MAHA agenda. Look forward to following your work! .//open.substack.com/pub/melanielynnbrown/p/the-biology-of-being-broke?utm_source=app-post-stats-page&r=2j7bke&utm_medium=ios
This is amazing information! Thank you.
I’m an older mom. If you don’t buy unhealthy stuff they will not make it anymore. I didn’t for my kids and they don’t do it for their kids. If we all do that it will take care of itself. It’s not so hard. The government really can do what it needs to do.
I totally understand what you're saying, but I think the answer isn't that simple for everyone, sadly. Some people only have access to the "unhealthy" choices (she explained in the article about places that don't have grocery stores). Additionally, many people are over worked and don't have time to turn ingredients into meals. We're lucky that we have choices when it comes to our kids. Not everyone does.
Ok I agree with that. That’s what needs to be fixed, not what’s going on now.
Your comment leans into the idea that not only will the market fix itself (and it hasn't), but also ties directly into what she says, "The burden of staying healthy is placed squarely on the individual".
This is a much larger issue than "If you don't buy it, they won't make it". She explains pretty well why were are here, how we got here, and actionable things we can do that can create beneficial change. It's a lot more than not buying unhealthy foods.