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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to Launch Federal Autism Research Effort
Kennedy Announces New Autism Research Plan
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced an upcoming federal study aimed at uncovering the root causes of autism. In a recent interview, Kennedy described autism as a growing public health concern and promised a transparent investigation into environmental and potential synthetic contributors to the condition.
Kennedy’s plan involves a wide-reaching research effort that will engage hundreds of scientists from multiple disciplines. The results of this study, he said, will be publicly released by September 2025.
A National Study Backed by Science
During his remarks, Kennedy emphasized the importance of this research in providing families with reliable, science-backed information. He stated that “we need to understand what’s driving the rising autism rates in America,” and highlighted his intent to create a platform for open scientific exploration.
The effort will not be limited to a single theory but will broadly evaluate possible environmental and lifestyle-related risk factors that could be linked to autism.
Addressing Vaccine Controversy
Kennedy’s past statements have raised concerns in the medical community due to his repeated claims about vaccines and autism—claims that numerous scientific studies have repeatedly disproven. Health authorities, including the CDC and WHO, affirm that vaccines are safe and do not cause autism.
When asked if this study would revisit the vaccine-autism debate, Kennedy insisted the goal was not to promote any specific theory, but rather to let “science speak for itself.”
Scientists Caution Against Misinformation
Autism researchers and public health experts have expressed hope that the study will focus on valid environmental and genetic factors without reviving long-debunked myths. Experts stress that misinformation—especially regarding vaccines—can undermine trust in public health and lead to real-world consequences.
Instead, they urge the study to build on existing research to better understand autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which likely involves a combination of genetic predisposition and external influences during prenatal or early childhood development.
Autism Rates on the Rise
According to the CDC, autism rates in the U.S. have continued to climb over the past two decades. Currently, about 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with ASD. With growing public interest and concern, Kennedy’s plan to allocate federal resources toward this issue has sparked national conversation.
