WASHINGTON — October 1, 2026 — Life for Lyme, a division of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce Health & Medical Division, applauds President Donald Trump’s new executive order directing a coordinated federal effort to reduce disease-carrying ticks and mosquitoes while advancing prevention, rapid diagnostics and treatment for Lyme disease and other vector-borne illnesses.
The order directs HHS and other federal agencies to develop safer, non-chemical and technology-enabled ways to reduce tick and mosquito populations, improve detection, and advance prevention and treatment. It specifically directs HHS to build on the existing Lyme Disease Moonshot through new research and prize programs focused on rapid diagnostics, preventive measures and treatments for tick- and mosquito-borne disease.
It also sets measurable goals in Washington, D.C., calling for a 90 percent reduction in invasive mosquito populations and a 50 percent reduction in ticks by 2028, with successful approaches intended to become a model for broader national use.
For Life for Lyme, the President’s action represents an important next step in work the organization has helped lead together with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., federal health officials, members of Congress, physicians, researchers and patient advocates.
Life for Lyme helped lead the advocacy effort that resulted in the December 2025 National Lyme Disease Roundtable at HHS and was directly part of the roundtable itself. Duvi Honig, Founder of Life for Lyme and Founder & CEO of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce, participated as Secretary Kennedy brought patients, clinicians and researchers together to focus on diagnostics, clinical needs and improving care. HHS said the roundtable fulfilled commitments to address chronic and often unseen illnesses affecting millions of Americans.
That work helped contribute to a broader federal Lyme effort that continued in May, when HHS announced new tick-control programs, innovation challenges, research funding and a public-private initiative to help patients connect with experienced providers.
Honig was also appointed by HHS to serve on an evaluation panel focused on new technology and diagnostic solutions for Lyme disease and other difficult-to-diagnose illnesses.
“This is what we have been working toward — taking Lyme disease from recognition to real action,” Honig said. “We helped lead the effort that brought the national Lyme Disease Roundtable to HHS, we were part of that roundtable, and I later had the privilege of serving on an HHS evaluation panel focused on new technology. To now see President Trump put prevention, testing, treatment and innovation into a clear federal plan is a major milestone.”
In simple terms, the executive order is about preventing more Americans from getting sick while improving the tools available to those already suffering. It calls for reducing tick and mosquito populations, developing faster tests, advancing preventive measures and treatments, using new pest-control technologies and reviewing federal resources that can help carry out the effort.
The order also addresses alpha-gal syndrome, directing HHS and USDA to explore labeling options for foods and drug products containing significant amounts of alpha-galactose.
Life for Lyme now looks forward to continuing to work directly with Secretary Bobby Kennedy and HHS as the President’s order is implemented, particularly in public awareness, education and prevention.
“We have the experience, relationships and reach to help turn this policy into action,” Honig said. “The goal is simple: help those already suffering and prevent more Americans and their families from ever having to go through the same experience.”
Life for Lyme
A Division of the Orthodox Jewish Chamber of Commerce Health & Medical Division