"Healthy 59-Year-Old Woman" Harris, Health Checkup Results... 'Age Controversy' Counterattack

Trump's Side Emphasizes "Perfectly Qualified to Serve as President"

U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris has released detailed health examination results.

Harris, who inherited the candidacy from President Joe Biden after his withdrawal due to attacks on his 'advanced age risk' by Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump, is seen as launching a counterattack.

[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

On the 12th (local time), the White House, through a letter from Joshua Simmons, the White House physician to the Vice President, stated, "Vice President Harris is a healthy 59-year-old woman," and "She possesses the physical and mental resilience necessary to successfully perform the duties of the presidency, including as head of the administration, head of state, and commander-in-chief."

The released two-page health examination report contains detailed health status information. According to the examination results, Harris has suffered from seasonal allergies and hives but has seen symptom improvement over the past three years through immunotherapy. It also notes that Harris has mild myopia and wears contact lenses but does not need lenses or glasses when reading.

The physician stated that Harris has never had diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, heart disease, lung disease, neurological disorders, cancer, or osteoporosis. The only surgery she has undergone was an appendectomy at age three. It was also noted that, due to a family history with her mother passing away from colon cancer in 2009, she undergoes annual colonoscopies and mammograms, and her blood pressure is 128/74 (systolic/diastolic) mmHg.

The physician also disclosed Harris's exercise habits. Harris reportedly engages in daily aerobic and core strength exercises, takes vitamins, and maintains a healthy diet. She does not smoke and drinks alcohol occasionally in moderation.

The New York Times (NYT) pointed out, "Presidential candidates are not obligated to share health records," but added, "With only a few weeks left until the election, Harris is attempting to raise questions about Trump's health, who has refused to disclose his medical information, by releasing her own medical information."

Trump, aged 78, had attacked then-Democratic candidate Joe Biden, aged 81, for his advanced age, but with Harris replacing Biden as the candidate, Trump now finds himself needing to defend his own advanced age.

Trump has been criticized for releasing very limited health information. According to a health report written by Trump's physician in November last year, it only stated that "overall health is excellent" and "mental health including cognition is outstanding," without detailed diagnostic results. Trump was hospitalized after contracting COVID-19 during his 2020 presidential term, but his physician did not disclose information about his illness at that time.

On this day, Steven Cheung, spokesperson for the Trump presidential campaign, referenced past disclosures of Trump's health records in a statement, emphasizing, "All concluded that former President Trump is in excellent health to perform the duties of commander-in-chief."