Press Release: MTHA Launches
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 16, 2024
MAKE TEXANS HEALTHY AGAIN LAUNCHES AHEAD OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Austin, TX -A powerful new movement has taken shape to address the growing crisis of chronic disease, poor nutrition, and preventable health challenges in Texas. Make Texans Healthy Again (MTHA) officially launched today, aiming to educate and empower Texans to take control of their health by educating and advocating for state-level policies prioritizing personal freedom, preventative care, and holistic wellness.
“We love our doctors, nurses, and frontline healthcare professionals—they’re the best in the world at handling acute care like injuries, illnesses, and life-saving procedures,” said MTHA Founder Travis McCormick. “But with a growing shortage of primary care providers, our already stretched system isn’t built to prevent chronic disease. Our goal is simple: make Texans healthier so they rely less on the system, reducing costs, and easing the burden on providers.”
MTHA draws inspiration from the national Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, championed by prominent voices like Calley and Casey Means and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. In Texas, the urgency of this mission has been underscored by recent legislative attention, including a Senate Committee on Health and Human Services hearing examining the connection between poor nutrition and chronic disease. With bipartisan momentum building, growing public demand for health freedom, and a healthcare system stretched to its limits, now is the time to act in the Lone Star State.
“This mission is deeply personal to me. My father’s life was cut short by a late-detected illness, and my mother has lived with severe disabilities since her stroke at 49,” continued McCormick. “At 27, I faced my own health crisis: overweight, fatigued, and trapped in a cycle of brain fog and depression. By focusing on movement and cutting out processed foods, I lost over 80 pounds and transformed my health. For the first time, I felt clear-headed, energized, and capable of living up to my potential. Every Texan deserves that chance, and that’s what this movement is about.”
The statistics are startling:
Obesity: Over the last 50 years, obesity rates have increased from 14.5% (1971) to 42.8% (2018).
Diabetes Epidemic: Diagnosed diabetes cases have increased from 1.6 million in 1958 to over 37 million in 2022, with 96 million more Americans estimated to have pre-diabetes.
Dementia: Between 2000 and 2021, the number of deaths from Alzheimer’s disease in the U.S. more than doubled, increasing 141%. The number diagnosed with dementia increased 373% among 30- to 44-year-olds, 311% among 45- to 54-year-olds and 143% among 55- to 64-year-olds from 2013 to 2017.
Depression: Antidepressant use among U.S. adults has seen a staggering rise over the past three decades, increasing from approximately 2.5% in the early 1990s to 13.2% by 2018—a more than fivefold increase. Between 2011 and 2021, the percentage of high school students reporting persistent sadness or hopelessness rose from 28% to 42%, with those seriously considering suicide increasing from 16% to 22%.
Autism: Autism has increased dramatically over the past two decades. In 2000, approximately 1 in 150 children were diagnosed with ASD; by 2020, this number had risen to 1 in 36.
Infertility & Miscarriages: The total fertility rate in the United States has dropped from 3.7 births per woman in 1960 to just 1.6 in 2020, sperm counts dropped by 1.2% per year from 1973 to 2000, accelerating to 2.6% per year from 2000 to 2018, and the rate of reported miscarriages has increased 1% a year since 1970.
Military Readiness: A 2020 Pentagon Qualified Military Available Study revealed that 77% of Americans are ineligible for military service, with 60% of males aged 17 to 24 failing to meet medical fitness standards, according to the U.S. Office of People Analytics.
Make Texans Healthy Again is dedicated to addressing these alarming trends by promoting policies that prioritize preventative care, proper nutrition, medical freedom and flexibility, and holistic health practices to reduce the burden of chronic disease. In a state facing a growing physician shortage, preventative care and healthier communities are essential to ensuring the system can meet future demands.
“I’m not an expert and I don’t have all the answers, but I am passionate about leveraging my government relations experience to make tangible differences for my fellow Texans,” continued McCormick. “If you are passionate about this as well, I invite you to join me and together we can ensure better health outcomes for the next generation!”
Make Texans Healthy Again is calling on Texans from all walks of life to join the movement. Whether you have policy expertise, a personal story to share, a willingness to testify or meet with legislators, or a desire to volunteer, there’s a role for you. We’re also seeking dedicated board members and financial supporters to help drive this mission forward. Together, we can create a healthier, stronger future for Texas.
For more information about Make Texans Healthy Again or to get involved, visit MakeTexansHealthyAgain.com.
###