Vietnamese crab exporterexellent crabdouble-skinned crabsgood crab

Doctor Deems Harris in 'Excellent Health' to Serve as President

Associated Press
October 13, 2024 | 8:27 pm
SHARE
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, left, packs diapers Greg Hatem, owner of The Pit Authentic Barbecue, as Harris visits the restaurant to learn about their relief efforts for Hurricane Helene, in Raleigh, North Carolina, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, left, packs diapers Greg Hatem, owner of The Pit Authentic Barbecue, as Harris visits the restaurant to learn about their relief efforts for Hurricane Helene, in Raleigh, North Carolina, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

Washington. US Vice President Kamala Harris is in “excellent health” and “possesses the physical and mental resiliency” required to serve as president, her doctor said in a letter released Saturday that summarizes her medical history and status.

Dr. Joshua Simmons, an Army colonel and physician to the vice president, wrote that Harris, 59, maintains a healthy, active lifestyle and that her most recent physical last April was “unremarkable.”

She “possesses the physical and mental resiliency required to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency, to include those as Chief Executive, Head of State and Commander in Chief,” he wrote in a two-page letter.

Harris' campaign hopes the release of her medical report will draw a contrast with Republican Donald Trump, who has shared only limited information about his health over the years, and raise questions about his fitness to serve, according to a campaign aide who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

ADVERTISEMENT

Trump has released very little health information, including after his ear was grazed by a bullet during an assassination attempt in July in Pennsylvania.

Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign, said Saturday that Trump has voluntarily released updates from his personal physician as well as detailed reports from Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, who, before he was elected to Congress, was Trump's physician at the White House. Jackson also treated Trump after the assassination attempt.

“All have concluded he is in perfect and excellent health to be Commander in Chief,” Cheung said in a statement. The campaign press office provided links to some of Trump's past medical reports. They included: https://tinyurl.com/yckc495b and https://tinyurl.com/4z27pk2f

If Trump, who is 78, were to be elected next month, he would be the oldest president in US history by the time his term ends in 2029.

Harris addressed the issue on Saturday before she traveled to North Carolina.

“It's clear to me that he and his team do not want the American people to really see what he is doing and if he is fit to be the president,” she told the reporters accompanying her.

Asked if she thought Trump's mental acuity had declined, Harris said, “I invite the public to watch his rallies and be the decision-maker.”

Simmons, who said he has been Harris’ primary care physician for the past 3 1/2 years, said the vice president has a history of seasonal allergies and urticaria, or hives. She has been able to “dramatically” improve her symptoms over the past three years with an immunotherapy medication that helps the body become less sensitive to allergens.

Simmons said Harris’ latest blood work and other test results were “unremarkable.” Her blood pressure is not worryingly high and she is at low risk for heart disease.

According to the summary of an exam conducted six months ago, Harris' vital signs showed a blood pressure of 128 over 74, a heart rate of 78 beats per minute, pulse oximetry of 100 percent on room air with a respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute and a temperature of 98.7 degrees. Pulse oximetry measures the amount of oxygen in a person's blood.

Simmons reported that Harris' head, eyes, ears, nose and pharynx are normal.

Also in the report: Harris wears contact lenses for mild nearsightedness; her family history includes maternal colon cancer; she is up to date on preventive care recommendations, including having a colonoscopy and annual mammograms, as well as routine immunizations.

Harris' mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was 70 when she died of colon cancer in February 2009.

The vice president “maintains a healthy, active lifestyle, despite her busy schedule,” including “vigorous daily aerobic exercise and core strength training," Simmons reported. She eats a healthy diet, does not use tobacco products and drinks alcohol “only occasionally and in moderation,” he wrote.

As Harris' office released the medical report, her campaign highlighted recent media reports raising questions about Trump's health and mental acuity and his reluctance to provide detailed information about the state of his health and medical history.

Trump eagerly questioned President Joe Biden's physical and mental fitness when the 81-year-old sought reelection. Since Biden dropped out of the race and was replaced by Harris on the Democratic ticket, Trump's health has drawn more attention.

Last November, Trump marked Biden's birthday by releasing a letter from his physician that reported the former president was in “excellent” physical and mental health. The letter posted on Trump’s social media platform contained no details about his weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, or the results of any tests to support its claims.

Tags: Keywords:
SHARE

Related Articles


News Jul 15, 2026 | 12:22 am

Trump Backs Away From Plan to Charge Fees in the Strait of Hormuz

Iran responded with attacks targeting Bahrain, Jordan, and three tankers that traveled through the strait.
Business Jul 14, 2026 | 9:17 am

S&P Rating Boost Keeps Jakarta Stocks Above 6,000 at Tuesday Open

JCI rose at Tuesday's open after S&P reaffirmed Indonesia's BBB rating, offsetting cautious global sentiment.
Business Jul 10, 2026 | 4:06 pm

Iran Peace Talks Spark Late Rally in Indonesian Stocks

JCI recovered from a sharp midday drop to close higher as hopes for renewed US-Iran talks and a steady IMF outlook lifted sentiment.
News Jul 10, 2026 | 2:52 am

US and Iran Exchange More Attacks Across the Mideast

An Iranian official accused the US of launching an airstrike later Thursday targeting the area around Iran's sole nuclear power plant.
Business Jul 9, 2026 | 4:35 pm

Rupiah Plunges to Rp 18,128 as US-Iran Tensions Escalate

Rupiah plunges to Rp 18,128 per dollar as escalating US-Iran tensions and weaker consumer confidence weigh on sentiment.
Business Jul 9, 2026 | 4:18 pm

JCI Rebounds on ADB’s 5.2% Indonesia Growth Forecast

JCI rebounded 0.67% to 5,912, supported by ADB's forecast that Indonesia's economy will grow 5.2% in 2026 and 2027.
Business Jul 8, 2026 | 4:07 pm

JCI Suffers 2% Selloff After S&P Watchlist, Iran Escalation

Indonesia's JCI lost 1.89% as rising Middle East tensions and S&P's watchlist review of the market sparked broad investor selling.
News Jul 6, 2026 | 3:10 pm

Trump Says 'Thank You, FIFA' After Balogun Suspension Is Lifted

FIFA lifts Folarin Balogun's World Cup suspension after Donald Trump urges a review, prompting outrage from Belgium.
News Jun 24, 2026 | 9:28 am

US-China Rivalry in ASEAN Is Here to Stay, Trump or No Trump

Whoever is the US president, major power competition will remain, Indonesian presidential aide Mari Elka Pangestu tells ASEAN.
News Jun 23, 2026 | 9:20 pm

Pentagon Asks Congress for Roughly $80 Billion to Cover Cost of Iran War

The White House has requested a remarkable $1.5 trillion for the Pentagon — a nearly 50% increase over the current funding levels.

The Latest


Business 20 hours ago

Prabowo Orders Up to 50 Ethanol Plants to Support E20 Fuel Program

Indonesia plans E20 gasoline within years, backed by up to 50 new ethanol plants and a nationwide sugarcane replanting drive.
Lifestyle 21 hours ago

US, Canada, Mexico Claim Success as World Cup Co-Hosts

US, Canada, Mexico have claimed success as host countries for the World Cup as enthusiasm soars for the final match.
News 22 hours ago

China’s WAICO or US-Led Pax Silica? Indonesia Stays Neutral

Indonesia says that it is taking part in the two AI-related initiatives proposed by the rivalring major powers China and the US.
Business Jul 18, 2026 | 11:25 am

JCI Posts Strongest Weekly Gain in Months on Debt Confidence

Indonesia's benchmark index climbed 4.24% this week as healthy external debt data lifted sentiment despite global uncertainties.
News Jul 17, 2026 | 9:19 pm

Febrie Adriansyah Denies All Allegations After 11-Hour AGO Questioning

Former prosecutor Febrie Adriansyah denied all allegations, including claims he received Rp 50 billion, after an 11-hour AGO questioning.
COPYRIGHT © 2026 JAKARTA GLOBE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED