AI, Integrity, and the Cost of Misinformation: Why Health Departments Must Lead With Strategy—Not Speculation

When Misinformation Becomes Policy: The MAHA Report Controversy

In May 2025, the White House released the "Make Our Children Healthy Again" (MAHA) report, aiming to address declining health outcomes among American children. However, the report quickly came under scrutiny for citing studies that either did not exist or were misrepresented. Investigations revealed that several citations were fabricated, with some containing markers like "oaicite," suggesting the use of AI tools such as ChatGPT in generating content without proper verification. 

This incident underscores the critical importance of maintaining scientific integrity in public health reporting. The reliance on unverified AI-generated content not only undermines the credibility of such reports but also poses risks to public trust and policy-making.

Healthy People 2030: Real Numbers That Demand Real Strategy

Contrasting the MAHA report’s flawed citations and fabricated studies, Healthy People 2030 provide a reliable, science-based framework with 355 measurable objectives aimed at improving the nation’s health and well-being. These objectives cover clinical care, public health infrastructure, mental health, SDOH, chronic disease, and prevention—and are backed by federal datasets from the CDC, HRSA, and other national surveillance systems.

Here are four urgent objectives that underscore the critical need for strategic, evidence-based public health leadership:

NWS-04: Reduce the proportion of children and adolescents with obesity

• Most recent national data (2020–2022):19.7% of U.S. children and adolescents aged 2 to 19 have obesity.

• Target by 2030:15.5%

• Gap: 4.2 percentage points

• Why this matters: Childhood obesity is directly linked to higher risks of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and lifelong health challenges, many of which are preventable with the right CHNA and CHIP-based interventions.

View full objective on Healthy People 2030 https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/overweight-and-obesity/reduce-proportion-children-and-adolescents-obesity-nws-04

MHMD-01: Reduce the suicide rate

• Current suicide rate:14.1 deaths per 100,000 population

• 2030 target:12.8 deaths per 100,000

• Gap: 1.3 deaths per 100,000

• Why this matters: Suicide is now the second leading cause of death for people ages 10–34. CHIP strategies that expand mental health access, early detection, and crisis response are proven to save lives.

View full objective on Healthy People 2030  

https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/mental-health-and-mental-disorders/reduce-suicide-rate-mhmd-01

SDOH-01: Increase the proportion of children living with at least one parent working full-time

• Current proportion:78.7%

• 2030 target:84.0%

• Gap: 5.3 percentage points

• Why this matters: Full-time parental employment is strongly linked to child stability, health coverage, and food security. CHNAs that assess economic stability and workforce participation can support actionable solutions.

View full objective on Healthy People 2030

https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/social-determinants-health/increase-proportion-children-living-least-one-parent-working-full-time-sdoh-01

PHI-05: Increase the proportion of local public health agencies that use quality improvement processes

• Current adoption rate:39.1% of local health agencies use QI tools and processes in their strategic planning and operations

• 2030 target:56.7%

• Gap: 17.6 percentage points

• Why this matters: If your health department is not leveraging structured QI and strategic frameworks (like MAPP 2.0), you're not only missing federal goals—you may also be underperforming in funding, collaboration, and compliance.

View full objective on Healthy People 2030

https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/public-health-infrastructure/increase-proportion-local-public-health-agencies-use-quality-improvement-processes-phi-05

These are the real numbers of health departments must address—not hallucinated citations or politically crafted messaging.

When counties engage Ascendant Healthcare Partners, they’re aligning with validated national benchmarks, ensuring funding justification, and positioning themselves as future-ready leaders in public health transformation.

---

Ascendant Healthcare Partners: Championing Integrity and Strategy

At Ascendant Healthcare Partners, we don’t just consult—we lead with truth. With more than 1,000 clients nationwide and designated as a Healthy People 2030 Champion, we:

• Conduct CHNAs and CHIPs that meet PHAB and NACCHO gold standards

• Use AI ethically—to analyze trends, never to generate false citations

• Elevate local voices to drive community-informed priorities

• Integrate our proprietary Community Cost Analysis™ to guide funding decisions

"When national reports include fake data, local health departments pay the price. At AHP, integrity and impact go hand in hand—because communities deserve more than speculation. They deserve results."— JoAnn Andrews, CEO, Ascendant Healthcare Partners

Our commitment to these principles ensures that our Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNAs) and Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIPs) are both effective and trustworthy.

Community Cost Analysis™: Quantifying the Impact

Understanding the economic implications of health disparities is crucial. Our proprietary Community Cost Analysis™ tool quantifies the financial burden of health issues on communities, providing actionable insights for resource allocation and policy development.

For example, by analyzing the costs associated with childhood obesity, we can help communities implement targeted interventions that not only improve health outcomes but also reduce healthcare expenditures.

Taking Action: Partner with AHP

In light of recent events highlighting the dangers of misinformation, it's more important than ever to rely on trusted partners for public health strategy. Ascendant Healthcare Partners offers:

Expertise in CHNA & CHIP Development: Crafting comprehensive assessments and improvement plans that align with national standards.

AI Integration: Incorporating advanced analytics to enhance decision-making processes.

Strategic Alignment: Ensuring that all initiatives are in sync with Healthy People 2030 objectives.

Let's work together to build healthier communities based on integrity, data, and inclusive strategies.

Request a Proposal