Secretary Kennedy Celebrates Landmark Iowa MAHA Legislation, Announces First-Ever Surgeon General Warning on Excessive Screen Time

DES MOINES-MAY 21, 2026-U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. traveled to Iowa Wednesday to join Governor Kim Reynolds for the signing of the state's landmark MAHA bill and launch of a new advisory from the HHS Office of the Surgeon General warning families, schools, and community organizations about the harms of excessive screen use among children and adolescents.

"Governor Reynolds and the state of Iowa are leading the nation by taking bold action to improve nutrition, increase physical activity, reduce excessive screen time, and address the root causes of chronic disease," Secretary Kennedy said. "At the same time, HHS is releasing the first-ever Surgeon General's warning focused on the harms of excessive screen use because American children are facing a growing crisis of social isolation, poor mental health, physical inactivity, and digital addiction. Iowa's leadership shows what is possible when states partner with the Trump Administration to help children live healthier, more active, and more connected lives."

Secretary Kennedy began the day at the Iowa State Capitol, where he and Governor Reynolds convened a roundtable discussion with state legislators, public health officials, and community advocates focused on improving nutrition through SNAP reform, strengthening behavioral health and cancer prevention efforts, and expanding healthcare access through the Rural Health Transformation Fund created under the Working Families Tax Cut Act.

Following the roundtable, Secretary Kennedy joined Governor Reynolds, state lawmakers, families, and students for a bill signing ceremony celebrating Iowa's MAHA legislation. The law strengthens nutrition and metabolic health education for physicians and medical students, increases physical activity standards in schools, limits excessive classroom screen time for young children, restores the Presidential Fitness Test, and advances healthier nutrition standards for families.

"Secretary Kennedy inspired the MAHA movement and has never wavered in his commitment to restoring the health of our country. Iowa is proud to help lead this mission by enacting legislation that supports better nutrition, physical activity, health and wellness, and limitations on cell phones and instructional screen time in our schools," said Governor Kim Reynolds. "I greatly appreciate his leadership on these vital issues that will improve the health and well-being of every citizen."

Secretary Kennedy then traveled to Gilbert Elementary School in Gilbert, Iowa, where he joined Governor Reynolds and Dr. Stephanie Haridopolos, Director of National Health Communications for the Office of the Surgeon General, to announce the release of the Surgeon General's Warning on the Harms of Screen Use: An Advisory and Toolkit on How to Protect Children and Adolescents.

The advisory marks the first time the Office of the Surgeon General has issued formal guidance warning parents and communities about the growing physical, mental, emotional, and developmental harms linked to excessive screen exposure among children. The toolkit provides practical, science-based recommendations to help families reduce harmful screen use and encourage healthier habits for children and teenagers.

During the event, Governor Reynolds highlighted Iowa's efforts to reduce unnecessary classroom screen exposure, increase physical activity, and strengthen student engagement and well-being in schools across the state.

Throughout the visit, Secretary Kennedy and Governor Reynolds emphasized a shared commitment between states and the Trump administration to improve nutrition, promote physical activity, reduce chronic disease, strengthen mental health, and help Americans Eat Real Food, Get Active, and Live Real Life as part of the Make America Healthy Again agenda.