A new report from the MAHA initiative, chaired by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., now serving as Secretary of Health and Human Services, highlights something simple but powerful: the light around us shapes the way we sleep, feel, and function. And for many of us, especially our kids, that light isn’t working in our favor.

Titled The Make Our Children Healthy Again Assessment, this 78-page report was released on May 22, 2025. It attributes the rise in childhood chronic disease to a combination of ultra processed foods, chemical exposures, excessive use of prescription drugs, and overlooked lifestyle factors, including how much artificial light children are exposed to at night and how little natural light they receive during the day.

Light Is a Signal, Not Just a Source

Our internal clock, or circadian rhythm, is guided by sunlight. Morning light cues the body to wake up, boosts mood and metabolism, and helps set the timing for the day. But when light lingers too long into the evening, from overhead LEDs, computers, and iPads, it tells the body it’s still daytime. The result: delayed melatonin release, disrupted sleep, and increased risks for metabolic disorders.

The MAHA report puts this into perspective: over 99% of Americans now live under significant nighttime light pollution.

What the Data Shows

Sleep health is trending in the wrong direction:

• In 2021, 83% of U.S. 12th graders and 81% of female high school students slept less than the recommended 8 hours on school nights.

• For younger kids aged 4 months to 14 years, 35% weren’t getting enough sleep during the 2020–2021 period.

• While natural sunlight can reach up to 100,000 lux, most people only experience 1–2 hours a day in lighting above 1,000 lux.

• 36% of parents say electronic devices stay powered on in their children’s bedrooms at night—an added layer of blue light exposure during sleep’s most critical window.

The takeaway is clear: artificial light is making it harder to fall asleep, stay asleep, and recover properly.

Melatonin Isn’t Just About Sleep

When evening light delays melatonin production, the effects ripple beyond bedtime. Melatonin is one of the body’s strongest antioxidants, supporting immune function, cellular repair, and long-term health. It is also an anti-aging and anti-cancer molecule. 

This Is Why Ra Optics Exists

We created Ra Optics to support better sleep by addressing one of the most overlooked factors in health: light. Our lenses are developed with Dr. Alexander Wunsch, a leading expert in light biology, and are designed to filter out the specific wavelengths that disrupt circadian rhythms and damage the eyes. 

And while anyone can benefit from that, kids are especially vulnerable. Their biology is still developing, and their exposure to light (both good and bad) has lifelong impacts. Wearing Ra Optics Sunset Lenses is one way to directly address the sleep challenges and circadian disruption the MAHA report brings to light.

It also means rethinking the devices we hand them. That’s why we’re big fans of what Daylight Computer Company is doing. Their new DC-1 is a low-blue-light tablet designed to be a healthier alternative to traditional screens. It’s built for use in natural light, which means it actually works better outside than in. That alone encourages kids to get more sun and fresh air, instead of staying indoors under artificial light. It’s perfect for reading, focusing, and winding down, without the melatonin-disrupting glow of an iPad. It’s the kind of shift we love to see: simple, thoughtful design that puts biology first.

Together, solutions like Ra Optics and Daylight are helping create a healthier, more light-aware world for the next generation.

What Happens Next?

MAHA’s report calls for deeper research into how lifestyle, light, movement, diet, and sleep impacts long-term health. But we don’t need to wait to make changes.

Here’s where to start:

• Get morning sunlight, ideally within the first hour of waking.

• Power down screens at least 60 minutes before bed.

• Use Ra Optics Sunset Lenses in the evening to wind down. 

• Keep bedrooms dark, cool, and screen-free, especially for kids.