US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced a major initiative by the American government aimed at identifying the factors behind what he calls the “Autism Epidemic.” The first results are expected in September 2025. In a televised cabinet meeting with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, Kennedy, who has often been criticized for spreading conspiracy theories about vaccinations, said that the new research project will involve “hundreds of scientists from around the world.” “In September, we will know what triggered the Autism Epidemic and we will be able to eliminate these burdens” Kennedy promised. He emphasized the urgency of the project and referred to the massive increase in the number of children diagnosed with autism in recent decades, which was “1 in 10,000 when I was a child.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that currently, 1 in 36 children in the US is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, a trend often attributed to increased awareness and expanded diagnostic criteria. “That’s a scary statistic, isn’t it? There must be something artificial out there causing it” said Trump to Kennedy. “If we can find an answer – if we stop taking something, eating something, or maybe it’s a shot, but something is causing it” Trump added. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is already investing more than $300 million annually in autism research, primarily focusing on genetic factors and prenatal environmental influences. Kennedy did not elaborate on the magnitude of the “massive testing and research efforts” or which specific burdens will be examined. Kennedy, the founder of the anti-vaccination group Children’s Health Defense, became known in the US for questioning the safety and efficacy of childhood vaccinations and spreading the claim that they are linked to autism – a theory that is largely rejected by the scientific community. The criticism of anti-vaccination advocates is mainly directed at the biologically effective substance, rather than the additives that have been introduced in recent decades to increase the shelf life and effectiveness of the vaccine. Despite his controversial reputation, Kennedy denies being fundamentally against immunizations and explains that his own children are vaccinated. During his confirmation hearing, he called for stricter safety checks and more thorough studies. After joining Trump’s campaign last year, the president vowed to give Kennedy broad authority in health policy and said he would “let him run” with it.
Vows to Uncover Cause of Autism Epidemic: Trump Seeks Artificial Explanation
