MAHA’s Gone Viral. Can Science?

Lauren Hughes, a pediatrician in Kansas City, Kansas, combines her medical background with her role as a social media influencer. With 548,000 followers on Instagram, she shares evidence-based health information, including how to follow vaccination guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Hughes is part of a movement aimed at countering misinformation propagated by groups like Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA).

Public health professionals and medical practitioners are increasingly concerned about the influence of anti-vaccine messaging associated with the MAHA movement, which has gained traction in recent years. Figures like Chelsea Clinton have also joined the discourse, launching initiatives to clarify health misconceptions. Former CDC director Demetre Daskalakis noted the need for a more aggressive response to false claims, emphasizing that health communicators must adapt to new demands beyond their traditional roles.

Public trust in health institutions has declined, partly due to cuts in federal health programs and attacks on organizations like the CDC. New health alliances are forming, primarily in Democratic-led states, while existing organizations such as the AAP and American Medical Association are stepping up their outreach efforts.

A recent KFF poll revealed that over half of adults use social media for health information, highlighting the importance of credible sources among increasing misinformation. This shift has prompted some healthcare professionals to elevate their presence on platforms traditionally dominated by non-experts.