The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement’s influence on federal health policy advanced significantly when President Donald Trump nominated Dr. Casey Means, a “metabolic health evangelist” and ally of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., for the role of Surgeon General. Upon Senate confirmation, Means would assume one of the nation’s most prominent public health positions, poised to amplify Kennedy’s vision of transforming health and wellness in the United States.
Means, who mirrors Kennedy in transitioning from an insider to an outsider, left Stanford Medical School’s residency program in 2019, critiquing the healthcare system as “exploitative.” She pivoted towards personal wellness, gaining substantial social media traction and founding Levels, a health tech company marketing at-home glucose monitors. While initially intended for diabetics, Means advocates their broader use despite studies showing no benefit for non-diabetics. Coincidentally, Kennedy proposed federal funding for such devices as an alternative to new weight-loss drugs to combat obesity.
In collaboration with her brother Calley, Means co-authored the bestselling book “Good Energy,” which positions her as a MAHA stalwart challenging the healthcare industry. The book discusses “metabolic dysfunction,” suggesting poor diets and sedentary lifestyles as root causes of chronic diseases. Critics argue her views oversimplify metabolism’s role, occasionally veering into spiritual interpretations, framing health issues as spiritual disorders as much as physical ones.
Means’s nomination has stirred controversy within the MAHA community, particularly due to her vaccine skepticism. Detractors view her as inadequately aligned with MAHA’s diverse objectives, suggesting conspiratorial motives. Despite this, her nomination aligns with Kennedy’s broader agenda, which includes questioning vaccine efficacy and promoting dietary wellness initiatives.
Kennedy’s early tenure as Health Secretary has seen him challenge traditional vaccine stances, promote alternative treatments, and initiate voluntary reforms in the food industry. These actions reflect a commitment to the MAHA agenda, emphasizing a holistic approach to health.
Means’s nomination, while contentious, signifies a continuation of Kennedy’s efforts to reshape national health policies. The MAHA movement, akin to Trump’s MAGA, thrives on its adaptability, appealing to varied constituencies but facing governance challenges as it attempts to balance diverse viewpoints and priorities.
