US health secretary bucks expert opinion as research shows rise in diagnoses due to better tools and screening

US health secretary bucks expert opinion as research shows rise in diagnoses due to better tools and screening

The US health secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr, said in his first press conference that the significant and recent rise in autism diagnoses was 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.

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RFK disagreed with the consensus of health researchers, and said that “we need to move away” from the idea that the increase in autism prevalence “is simply due to better diagnostic tools”.

  • Aggravationstation@feddit.ukEnglish
    3·
    6 days ago

    From https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/rfk-jr-reveals-five-toxins-that-could-be-causing-autism-epidemic/ar-AA1D34Ya

    Kennedy said he would commission a series of studies into whether mold, pesticides, food chemicals or medicines are contributing to the development of the condition. He also suggested a surprising fifth possible factor: ultrasound scans. He noted the technology became widely available around the same time autism started spiking in the 1980s.

    All bullshit probably, but from that same article:

    Research from Harvard, for example, found exposure to air pollution like particulate matter in early childhood may raise the risk of autism by as much as 64 percent.

    An Australian study published earlier this year also found boys exposed to endocrine-disrupting chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) in the womb were six times more likely to be diagnosed with autism before age 11 than those without exposure.

    If after that he ignores plastics and CO2 then we know he’s being paid off.

    • Spacehooks@reddthat.comEnglish
      1·
      6 days ago

      Obviously the take away is we need to move the walking birthing pods to remote location. Then remove right to work so they they can focus on healthy eating and breathing. /s but im. Very concerned this is the future we are heading.