In a striking address at the National Governors Association meeting in Colorado, DHHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. delivered a stark warning about America’s escalating health crisis, citing alarming statistics on chronic diseases and rising autism rates. Kennedy’s passionate speech underscored a public health emergency, declaring, “We are mass poisoning this generation of children,” attributing the surge in conditions like diabetes and autism to processed foods and environmental toxins.

Kennedy revealed that chronic disease rates have skyrocketed from just 3% in his childhood to a staggering 60% today, with 38% of American teens now classified as diabetic or pre-diabetic. He highlighted the shocking statistic that 1 in 31 children are now diagnosed with autism, a drastic increase from just 3 cases identified among 900,000 kids in a 1970 study. “This is an apocalypse,” he stated, urging governors to take immediate action to combat this health crisis.

Kennedy also pointed to the financial burden on state budgets, with Medicaid costs consuming about 30% of expenditures, warning that without intervention, the situation will worsen. He called for a reevaluation of dietary guidelines and highlighted the urgent need for states to apply for SNAP waivers to limit access to sugary and processed foods that contribute to chronic health issues.

As he addressed the mental health crisis among youth, Kennedy implored governors to implement measures to foster community connections and reduce the isolating effects of social media. “We are witnessing the highest suicide rates in history,” he lamented, attributing this to a lack of purpose among today’s youth.

With a sense of urgency, Kennedy urged state leaders to act decisively to reverse these trends, emphasizing that the health of future generations hangs in the balance. The time for change is now, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.