KFF poll: 4 in 10 parents back Trump, RFK Jr.’s “MAHA” agenda

A new survey from KFF and The Washington Post, released Wednesday, finds that nearly four in ten U.S. parents (38%) identify as supporters of President Donald Trump’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) movement — the public health initiative spearheaded by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that focuses on chronic childhood conditions, food safety regulation and skepticism toward certain medical and pharmaceutical practices, including vaccine policy.

The survey, conducted July 18 through August 4 among 2,716 parents, highlights how the MAHA movement has quickly evolved from a policy brand into a cultural divide. Six in ten Republican parents (62%) support the movement, compared with just one in six Democratic parents (17%) and one-third of independents (34%).

Support is higher among parents without a college degree (41%) than among those with one (33%).

Shared concerns, divided diagnoses

Despite political polarization, most parents — regardless of MAHA affiliation — share many of the same concerns about children’s health. Majorities across the political spectrum cited social media use (75%) and mental health challenges (68%) as top threats, followed by obesity and highly processed foods (both 68%).

Where opinions diverge is in perceived causes and solutions. MAHA parents were more likely to flag over-prescription of medications (61% vs. 43% among non-MAHA parents) and fluoride in drinking water (33% vs. 25%) as major threats.

Non-MAHA parents were more likely to cite gun violence (68% vs. 50%) and pollution (56% vs. 48%).

Vaccine skepticism, trust in public health

The MAHA platform promotes vaccine “re-evaluation,” not outright refusal, but the survey points to a widening confidence gap. Just over half (51%) of MAHA-aligned parents said they trust the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for reliable vaccine information, compared to 59% of all parents nationally. Only 47% of MAHA parents said the same about the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

By contrast, pediatricians remain the most trusted source across all groups — 81% of MAHA parents and 88% of non-MAHA parents said they trust their child’s pediatrician “a great deal” or “a fair amount.”

The survey also found that one in four MAHA parents (24%) have delayed or skipped at least one recommended childhood vaccine — more than twice the rate among non-MAHA parents (11%).

The MAHA effect

MAHA supporters were far less confident in the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine for children. Only 25% said they were “very” or “somewhat” confident, compared with 54% of non-MAHA parents. Confidence gaps persisted across other vaccines as well: 78% of MAHA parents said they were confident in the safety of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, compared with 88% of non-MAHA parents.

Few parents (9%) identified as fully anti-vaccine, but most MAHA parents described themselves as “in the middle.” While 75% said their children are up to date on recommended vaccines, 42% believe the CDC recommends too many, and 58% doubt that federal agencies ensure their safety.

Broad support for food regulation, and one major split

Kennedy’s calls for stricter oversight of food additives and ultra-processed foods are widely popular across party lines. More than eight in ten parents support stronger government regulation of dyes and chemical additives (85%), highly processed foods (82%) and added sugars (80%).

However, the movement’s libertarian streak shows on one issue: raw milk.

About half of parents overall (47%) favor deregulating its sale, including 63% of MAHA supporters and just 36% of non-MAHA parents. The FDA continues to prohibit interstate sales of unpasteurized milk due to contamination risks.

Autism, misinformation and public uncertainty

When asked about vaccine misinformation, about one in five MAHA parents (21%) said it was true that chronic diseases are rising because of the number of vaccines children receive — a claim long rejected by scientific consensus — and 15% said the MMR vaccine can cause autism.

Nearly six in ten said they “do not know enough to say” whether that claim is false.

That uncertainty extends to research priorities. Forty-four percent of parents overall said there has been “too little” research into autism, and one-third said the same about possible links between vaccines and autism, despite decades of research disproving such a connection.

A trust test for U.S. public health

The findings come as the White House MAHA Commission continues to review childhood disease prevention policies and issue recommendations that challenge federal norms. For many pediatricians and practice owners, the results underscore a growing need to rebuild trust with parents — in the exam room, where skepticism toward vaccines and public health guidance increasingly collides with everyday medical decision-making.