Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, under the direction of Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has launched a comprehensive global study to determine the causes of rising autism rates. Kennedy, speaking at a recent Cabinet meeting with President Donald Trump, announced the initiative which will focus on delivering results by September, describing it as a “massive testing and research effort” engaging hundreds of scientists worldwide.
During the Cabinet meeting, Kennedy signaled confidence that the reasons behind the so-called autism epidemic would soon be identified, potentially paving the way for mitigating harmful exposures. This optimistic outlook was echoed by President Trump, who emphasized the potential significance of the findings, suggesting that an “artificial” factor might be contributing to the increase in autism diagnoses.
Autism rates in the U.S. have notably increased, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The incidence of autism spectrum disorder has risen from one in 150 children in 2000 to approximately one in 36 children in 2020. Predictions based on newer data suggest that this rate might further escalate.
Speculations abound about the potential causes of autism, including environmental factors like exposure to pollutants and certain chemicals. However, the scientific community continues to explore a broader array of possibilities ranging from genetic factors to early childhood development. It’s important to note the scientific consensus has firmly refuted any link between autism and vaccinations.
Despite the consensus, the appointment of David Geier as a senior data analyst by Kennedy has stirred controversy. Geier, known for his discredited research suggesting a vaccine-autism link, along with his father, Mark Geier, have faced penalties from medical boards for their unconventional approaches to treating autism.
Kennedy’s push has drawn criticism and concern from public health officials and autism advocacy organizations. The Autism Society of America has criticized the claim of discovering a definitive cause by September as “unrealistic and misleading,” urging a focus on evidence-based research. Similarly, Zoe Gross from the Autistic Self Advocacy Network expressed apprehensions that Kennedy’s investigation might not be open-ended but aimed at validating preconceived notions about autism’s causes.
Experts in the field have questioned the practicality of achieving conclusive results within such a short timeframe. Dr. Lisa Settles, of Tulane’s Center for Autism and Related Disorders, and Dr. Peter Hotez, dean at the National School of Tropical Medicine, have both highlighted the complexity of autism research, indicating that the causes of autism, widely believed to stem from early fetal brain development, are too intricate to be definitively unraveled by September.
Amid these developments, the HHS has also seen significant internal changes, with staffing reductions and department eliminations raising further questions about the feasibility and coordination of such an expansive study.
As the HHS continues its controversial research, the House Democrats on the Energy and Commerce Committee have initiated an investigation into Geier’s role, adding another layer of scrutiny to an already contentious effort. Meanwhile, Andrew Nixon, the HHS Director of Communications, affirmed the department’s commitment to uncovering the causes of autism using stringent, science-backed research approaches, stressing the urgency of addressing this pressing public health issue as the rate of diagnoses climbs.