Kamala Harris is in “excellent health” and has “the physical and mental resiliency” required to serve as president, her doctor has said, as details of her medical status and history were released.
Dr Joshua Simmons, physician to the US vice president, wrote that she maintains a healthy, active lifestyle and that her most recent physical examination last April was “unremarkable”.
Advisers for the Democratic presidential candidate hope to use the moment to draw a contrast with her Republican rival Donald Trump, who has only released limited information about his health, and raise questions about his fitness to serve.
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Dr Simmons said he has been Ms Harris’s primary care physician for the past three-and-a-half years.
He said the 59-year-old has a history of allergies and urticaria, also known as hives, for which she has been on allergen immunotherapy for the past three years.
The doctor’s report said Ms Harris wears contact lenses for mild near-sightedness; her family history includes maternal colon cancer; she is up to date on preventive care recommendations, including having a colonoscopy and annual mammograms.
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Mr Trump, who was president between 2017 and 2021, has released very little information about his health over the years – including after his ear was grazed by a bullet during an assassination attempt in July.
The 78-year-old eagerly questioned Joe Biden’s health when the 81-year-old president was seeking re-election.
Since Mr Biden was replaced on the ticket with Ms Harris, Mr Trump’s own health has drawn more attention.
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Last November, Mr Trump marked Mr Biden’s birthday by releasing a letter from his physician that reported the former president was in “excellent” physical and mental health.
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The letter posted on Mr Trump’s social media platform contained no details to support its claims – such as on measures like weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, or the results of any test.
