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HHS Secretary Walks Back Autism Report Timeline
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has revised the timeline for a report investigating the causes of autism. Originally slated for a September release, the report’s completion date is now uncertain.
In an interview with CNN, Kennedy stated that while some information may be available by fall, a comprehensive understanding of autism’s causes will likely take another six months. This announcement comes just hours after a commission led by Kennedy released a preliminary report pointing to processed foods, chemical exposure, environmental toxins, and prescription drugs as potential contributing factors to a rise in childhood health issues.
Kennedy, a known vaccine skeptic, initiated the autism investigation in April. However, his approach has drawn criticism from scientists and autism researchers who have cautioned against premature conclusions and questioned his reliance on selectively chosen studies. These critics also dispute Kennedy’s claims linking vaccines to chronic illnesses and autism, citing established research that points to genetic factors and prenatal exposure as contributing causes.