Concerns Over the "Make America Healthy Again" Commission Report
The "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) commission report, led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has sparked controversy due to questionable sources and potential use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. An investigation by NOTUS uncovered dozens of errors in the report, including broken links, incorrect issue numbers, and missing or incorrect authors.
Errors and Inconsistencies in the Report
Some studies were misstated to support the report’s conclusions, while others did not exist at all. At least seven cited sources were found to be entirely fictitious. Furthermore, an investigation by The Washington Post discovered that at least 37 of the 522 citations appeared multiple times throughout the report. The URLs of several references included "oaicite," a marker used by OpenAI to indicate responses generated by AI models like ChatGPT.
Use of AI Tools
The presence of "oaicite" markers in the report’s citations strongly suggests the use of AI tools, such as ChatGPT, in developing the report. This raises concerns about the veracity and reliability of the information presented. The use of AI-generated content can lead to inaccuracies and misinformation, which can have serious consequences in the field of public health.
Response from the White House
In a briefing, press secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed concerns about the report’s accuracy, describing the errors as "formatting issues." Leavitt defended the report, stating that it is "backed on good science that has never been recognized by the federal government." However, she avoided mentioning the potential use of AI tools in the report’s development.
Updates to the Report
Following the investigations, the MAHA report file was updated to remove some of the "oaicite" markers and replace non-existent sources with alternative citations. A statement from the Department of Health and Human Services spokesman Andrew Nixon acknowledged "minor citation and formatting errors" but maintained that the substance of the report remains unchanged.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding the MAHA report highlights the importance of ensuring the accuracy and reliability of information, particularly in the field of public health. The potential use of AI tools, such as ChatGPT, raises concerns about the report’s veracity and the need for transparency in its development. As the report aims to address the decline in US life expectancy, it is crucial that the information presented is trustworthy and based on sound science. The updates made to the report are a step in the right direction, but further scrutiny and investigation are necessary to restore confidence in the report’s findings and recommendations.
