30 h. ago While RFK Jr. warns of an ‘autism epidemic’, his department cut research money to reduce autistic suicides

Laura Graham Holmes received a grant to find interventions to reduce suicide among autistic people. Now that grant has been cut

Events

46 h. ago 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 to establish the cause of what he terms the ‘autism epidemic’, with some experts concerned that this study will support the widely discredited association between autism and vaccines. US health reporter Jessica Glenza tells Ian Sample, the Guardian’s science editor, how these mixed messages are already impacting scientific research.RFK Jr says his response to measles outbreak should be ‘model for the world’RFK Jr contradicts experts by linking autism rise to ‘environmental toxins’ Continue reading...

Science

52 h. ago RFK Jr calls autism an ‘epidemic’ and a tragedy. As an autistic journalist, I have some comments

ANALYSIS: Health Secretary wilfully misreads data that should be celebrated, not feared, writes Eric Garcia

Politics

55 h. ago RFK Jr contradicts experts by linking autism rise to ‘environmental toxins’

US health secretary bucks expert opinion as research shows rise in diagnoses due to better tools and screening Health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr said in his first press conference that the significant and recent rise in autism diagnoses is evidence of an “epidemic” caused by an “environmental toxin”, which would be rooted out by September.Autism advocates and health experts have repeatedly stated the rise in diagnoses is related to better recognition of the condition, changing diagnostic criteria and better access to screening. Many also reject the label of an “epidemic”, arguing that neurodivergence should be valued. Continue reading...

Politics

57 h. ago RFK Jr sensationally claims five 'toxins' in everyday goods that could be causing autism epidemic

Health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has offered a list of 'toxins' that he says could be driving a surge in autism across the US.

Politics

7 d. ago RFK Jr claims US government will know ‘what has caused autism epidemic’ by September

Robert F. Kennedy Jr has claimed the government will know what has caused "the autism epidemic" by September and will "eliminate those exposures."

Politics