It is a ritual in US politics for presidents and presidential hopefuls to provide insight into their health. Joe Biden always had a long list of grievances. Not so Kamala Harris.
Democratic US presidential candidate Kamala Harris is in “excellent” health, according to her doctor. The vice president’s office released a brief report from her doctor, Joshua Simmons. In it he lists the results of various examinations during Harris’ most recent health check in April, as well as details of the 59-year-old’s medical history.
The doctor’s report is significantly shorter than that of her boss, US President Joe Biden, who has made headlines in recent years with long lists of age-related complaints.
It is a peculiarity of US politics that presidents regularly disclose their health status. This is not legally required, but it has become a kind of ritual that no incumbent can avoid. It is also standard practice for presidential candidates to provide insight into their health.
Daily exercise and alcohol only in moderation
Simmons writes of Harris that she has the mental and physical toughness to carry out all the duties of president. Their tests did not reveal any abnormalities. Harris has suffered from allergies and rashes in the past. However, this has improved significantly with the help of treatments. Harris is somewhat nearsighted and therefore wears contact lenses. Her only operation to date was an operation on the appendix when she was three years old. She exercises every day, eats healthily, doesn’t smoke and only drinks alcohol in moderation.
These medical reports looked different for Biden, who withdrew from the election campaign in the summer under pressure from his party and made room for Harris. Various minor ailments were always listed there, including unflattering things such as general “wear and tear”, a “stiff gait”, hip problems and the use of a breathing mask to sleep. Biden was the oldest president ever to move into the White House. He ended his re-election campaign because many party colleagues doubted his mental and physical fitness.
No detailed health check from Trump yet
Harris’ Republican opponent, former President Donald Trump, is 78 years old and therefore also faces questions about his fitness. However, Trump has not yet published a detailed health check during the election campaign – only a brief medical update after the assassination attempt on him in mid-July.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.