Well, this is sure to drive a lot of people crazy, especially since RFK, Jr. was Trump’s pick to head HHS. And, he’s always been a little loopy on vaccines causing autism
RFK Jr. pledges an answer to the ‘autism epidemic’ by September
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made a significant commitment at Thursday’s Cabinet meeting at the White House, saying that his agency will “know what has caused the autism epidemic” by September.
Kennedy said that HHS had launched, at President Donald Trump’s direction, a large research effort involving “hundreds of scientists from around the world” to look into the rising rates of autism diagnoses.
“At your direction, we are going to know by September,” Kennedy said. “We’ve launched a massive testing and research effort that’s going to involve hundreds of scientists from around the world.”
“In September, we will know what has caused the autism epidemic and we’ll be able to eliminate those exposures,” he added.
Trump commended Kennedy on the September goal, speculating — without scientific backing — that the answer to driving down rates could be “you stop taking something, you stop eating something or maybe it’s a shot, but something’s causing it.”
The question is, what causes autism? Environmental? Societal? Medical? Chemical? Vaccines? What is it? Consider
(Autism Speaks) A new study published in JAMA Network Open shows that the number of children and adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has increased by 175% over a decade.
Researchers analyzed electronic health records and insurance claims data from over 12.2 million people from 2011 to 2022. Over that period, autism prevalence across the lifespan rose from 2.3 per 1,000 people to 6.3 per 1,000 people.
Results showed that ASD prevalence was highest among children aged 5 to 8, reaching 30.3 per 1,000 children in 2022—about the same as the most recent CDC prevalence rate. Among adults, prevalence was notably low, particularly in those aged 45 and older. However, young adults aged 26 to 34 saw the sharpest rise in diagnoses, with rates increasing by 450% over the study period.
That’s not an insignificant rise. Is it over-diagnosing? Wouldn’t it be nice to know? Wouldn’t it be good to know? Shouldn’t we do science to figure this out?
Scientists have been studying the cause of autism for decades, and have identified genetics and several other factors as possibly playing a role.
It is true that estimated autism rates have climbed in the past 20 years, however experts say these rising rates are likely largely due to better awareness, a wide definition of autism spectrum disorder, and better access to services, leading to more children being screened and diagnosed. It’s possible that a yet-unknown factor is also contributing to the increase.
If it’s genetics and other factors, what has changed to significantly increase the rates? Obviously, the 2nd paragraph is trying to poo-poo Kennedy’s investigation, but, then they end with “yet-unknown factor”. Shouldn’t we find out?
In 2000, approximately 1 in 150 children in the U.S. born in 1992 were diagnosed with autism. By 2020, 1 in 36 children born in 2012 were diagnosed, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Prior to 1985, it is estimated that 1 in 2,500 had autism. Why the big jump? Just better diagnoses? Perhaps over-diagnoses? If we could figure it out might it be a step to ending autism, or at least drastically reducing the rates? Especially for those with the type that truly has kids and adults stuck in their own little world, where they used to be diagnosed with schizophrenia and institutionalized?
Now it’s time to sit back and wait for Democrats to lose their sh*t over this investigation.
I wrote this early morning. By 930 stuff like this started popping up in my timeline
This is so wrong, so irresponsible, and so disappointing. https://t.co/grLHi9YeOr
— S.E. Cupp (@secupp) April 10, 2025
Most are not saying why it is a problem to do scientific research, just, Orange Man and JFK, Jr Bad.
The problem is, since COVID has shown us that government health research cannot be trusted, no one will believe any answer that does not conform to what they already expected.
Just like with JFK file release. Conspiracy people: SEE!!! the evidence of CIA/Martian/Cuban/MOB collusion was destroyed decades ago.
The commenter accepts the right-wing narrative. For decades, conservatives have pounded on science.
Scientists figured out COCID biology in real time and developed an effective vaccine inside a year, saving millions of Americans.
Now, politicians are crippling US scientific superiority because they don’t like scientific results. Research on evolution, global warming, COVID, smoking, the universe, gender, pollution etc triggers many conservatives…
Bwaha!
Exaggerate much, Rimjob?
LOLGFY LOSER!
Fat Jeff is telling false stories. Why?
RFK Jr
“In September, we will know what has caused the autism epidemic and we’ll be able to eliminate those exposures. We’re going to look at everything. Everything is on the table — our food system, our water, our air, we will find out what’s triggering this epidemic. We know it is an environmental toxin that is causing this cataclysm. Through research at NIH, we will find an answer to this question.”
Do WE KNOW that it is an environmental toxin? Heaven forfend it turns out to carbon dioxide or other pollutants from fossil fuel burning, LOL! What if it is soda pop? 2nd hand smoke? Sunscreen? Dental fillings? X-rays? How about polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)?
Industrial environmental PAHs have been increasing over the decades. Should 47’s EPA restrict them?
Since the 47 admin is drastically cutting research funding, how will RFK Jr find an answer? Would you hamstring cancer trials to follow autism causes?
RFKs current hypothesis is that an environmental exposure to some agent is the cause of the increased diagnosis of autism. He favors that vaccinations against measles, smallpox, Covid, whooping cough, mumps, diphtheria, tetanus, influenza, varicella, etc are causing autism! He also questions fluoridation of water. What if it is an unknown airborne virus?
Recent studies support the notion that type I, type II and gestational diabetes contribute to offspring diagnosed with autism. Genetics (e.g., mitochondrial dysfunction) plays a significant role. Illegal drug use, nicotine, maternal/paternal age, air pollution (particulates, oxides of nitrogen), microplastics have all been implicated.
The increase in diagnoses is real, likely due to an actual increase in the disorder AND improved/expanded diagnoses.
We suspect that 47/RFK Jr already have their answer.
June 5, 2002
INDIANAPOLIS—The National Science Foundation’s annual symposium concluded Monday, with the 1,500 scientists in attendance reaching the consensus that science is hard.
Mr Teach asks: Most are not saying why it is a problem to do scientific research, just, Orange Man and JFK (sic), Jr Bad.
At most they’ll be reviewing old data. So, let’s get this straight. Without doing research, RFK will discover what causes autism in 4 or 5 months.
Note that #47 and RFK Jr are cutting medical research and researchers. Business types and lawyers always believe they can best direct scientific research.
From the fat man who has proven he knows little of research.