RFK Jr. calls rising autism rate an ‘epidemic.’ Researchers call it a 'good sign'

How RFK Jr’s mixed messages on vaccines are impacting scientific research – podcast

As a measles outbreak expands across the US, comments by health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr have come under scrutiny. Kennedy has said that the best way to prevent measles is to get vaccinated – but he has also caused alarm among paediatricians, vaccine experts and lawmakers by promoting vitamin A and nutrition as treatments for measles and questioning the safety testing of the MMR vaccine. He also recently announced a US-led scientific effort…

RFK pushes to find 'environmental' cause of autism, calls growing rates an 'epidemic'

Researchers and advocates have pushed back at what they consider inaccurate and stigmatizing comments made by the health secretary, and note the causes of autism are complex.

RFK Jr claims autistic children will never go on dates or pay taxes

Robert F Kennedy Jr claimed that autistic children will never pay taxes nor go on dates during a press conference on Wednesday, 16 April. It comes after the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said the number of U.S. children diagnosed with autism continues to rise. CDC experts dispute the idea that the condition is becoming more widespread, despite the rise in its data, instead attributing the uptick in cases to improved diagnos…

RFK Jr. calls rising autism rate an ‘epidemic.’ Researchers call it a 'good sign'

A small increase in the autism rate suggests diagnosis and access to care are improving, researchers say, and don't herald a crisis.