Health and Me

Ishita Roy

What Are The Key Takeaways From RFK Jr.'s CDC Press Conference On Autism Report?

RFK Jr on Autism Report in his first HHS Press Conference

Of the many firsts and amid changing health guidelines in the US, the Secretary of Health and Human Services under the Trump administration, Robert F Kennedy Jr. held his first press conference on Wednesday. In the press conference, he made it clear that investigating the rising rates of <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/autism">autism</a></span> in the US is one of his top priorities.

Speaking in Washington, he labelled autism as an "epidemic". He also went ahead and questioned the mainstream explanation like better screening and diagnosis. His comments further followed a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that showed a slight uptick in autism prevalence among 8-year-olds. IT sparked renewed debate on what is really driving these numbers?

<h4>What Did The New <span rel="noindex">CDC Report</span> Find?</h4>

According to the CDC report released a day before Kennedy’s press conference, about 1 in 31 8-year-old children had autism in 2022. The data, collected from 16 states, showed considerable variation in prevalence—from around 1% in Texas to 5.3% in California. Notably, the prevalence among boys was higher, with California showing a rate of 1 in 12.5 boys.

The CDC attributes the rise to improved awareness as well ass access to evaluations and expanded services. This is in particular to underdiagnosed communities. The study also found that children from lower-income households and non-White backgrounds were now being diagnosed at higher rates, which was not the case historically. The experts have also reflected on more equitable access to services, not a sudden increase in cases.

<h4>Kennedy Rejects Diagnostic Progress</h4>

RFK, however, disagreed with this interpretation and argued that the rise in autism is not simply due to better detection or evolving diagnostic criteria.

“We need to move away from the ideology that this is all due to better diagnosis,” he said, calling such reasoning a form of “epidemic denial.”

Despite scientific consensus that improved screening plays a role in increasing numbers, Kennedy insisted the upward trend was too steep to be explained by diagnostics alone. He described the current rate as “catastrophic” and accused critics of ignoring hard science.

One of RFK's main argument is, of course centred on environmental exposure. He believes that "environmental toxins: which had been introduced by different industries, as the real cause of autism, though he did not provide specific evidence as per his claims. As per Kennedy, these toxins could be in the air, water, and even medicines and food.

While he acknowledged that some people may have a genetic vulnerability, he dismissed the role of genetics alone, calling genetic studies a “dead end.” However, most researchers agree that autism likely results from a mix of genetic and environmental factors, and that no single cause explains the increase.

A 2021 study from the American Academy of Pediatrics also supported this multi-factor explanation, noting that a combination of both genetics and environmental factors may be involved in rising autism diagnoses.

RFK Jr. also announced that he has initiated a large-scale research effort to find out what is exactly happening with the rise in the number of autism cases and how environmental factors may be responsible for it. He also promised President Trump that this initiative would, in fact, produce "some" results by September and would involve experts from around the globe.

He went ahead to criticize the CDC for releasing data with a two-year lag and vowed to provide real-time updates going forward.

Kennedy also said his team would investigate a wide range of potential triggers, including mold, pesticides, and food additives.

Not everyone is on board with Kennedy’s framing. The Autism Society of America criticized his use of the word “epidemic,” saying that rising rates reflect progress in diagnosis, not a national crisis. “We must use prevalence data to drive access, not fear or political rhetoric,” said Christopher Banks, president of the organization.

Dr. Doreen Samelson, a clinical officer with California’s Catalight network, also pushed back against Kennedy’s claims. “It’s not simply more autism—it’s more awareness and access,” she said, urging a more nuanced interpretation of the CDC’s findings.

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Of the many firsts and amid changing health guidelines in the US, the Secretary of Health and Human Services under the Trump administration, Robert F Kennedy Jr. held his first press conference on Wednesday. In the press conference, he made it clear that investigating the rising rates of autism in the US is one of his top priorities.Autism - An "Epidemic"Speaking in Washington, he labelled autism as an "epidemic". He also went ahead and questioned the mainstream explanation like better screening and diagnosis. His comments further followed a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that showed a slight uptick in autism prevalence among 8-year-olds. IT sparked renewed debate on what is really driving these numbers?What Did The New CDC Report Find?According to the CDC report released a day before Kennedy’s press conference, about 1 in 31 8-year-old children had autism in 2022. The data, collected from 16 states, showed considerable variation in prevalence—from around 1% in Texas to 5.3% in California. Notably, the prevalence among boys was higher, with California showing a rate of 1 in 12.5 boys.The CDC attributes the rise to improved awareness as well ass access to evaluations and expanded services. This is in particular to underdiagnosed communities. The study also found that children from lower-income households and non-White backgrounds were now being diagnosed at higher rates, which was not the case historically. The experts have also reflected on more equitable access to services, not a sudden increase in cases.Kennedy Rejects Diagnostic ProgressRFK, however, disagreed with this interpretation and argued that the rise in autism is not simply due to better detection or evolving diagnostic criteria.“We need to move away from the ideology that this is all due to better diagnosis,” he said, calling such reasoning a form of “epidemic denial.”Despite scientific consensus that improved screening plays a role in increasing numbers, Kennedy insisted the upward trend was too steep to be explained by diagnostics alone. He described the current rate as “catastrophic” and accused critics of ignoring hard science.Genes vs Environmental ToxinsOne of RFK's main argument is, of course centred on environmental exposure. He believes that "environmental toxins: which had been introduced by different industries, as the real cause of autism, though he did not provide specific evidence as per his claims. As per Kennedy, these toxins could be in the air, water, and even medicines and food.While he acknowledged that some people may have a genetic vulnerability, he dismissed the role of genetics alone, calling genetic studies a “dead end.” However, most researchers agree that autism likely results from a mix of genetic and environmental factors, and that no single cause explains the increase.A 2021 study from the American Academy of Pediatrics also supported this multi-factor explanation, noting that a combination of both genetics and environmental factors may be involved in rising autism diagnoses."Some" results by SeptemberRFK Jr. also announced that he has initiated a large-scale research effort to find out what is exactly happening with the rise in the number of autism cases and how environmental factors may be responsible for it. He also promised President Trump that this initiative would, in fact, produce "some" results by September and would involve experts from around the globe.He went ahead to criticize the CDC for releasing data with a two-year lag and vowed to provide real-time updates going forward.Kennedy also said his team would investigate a wide range of potential triggers, including mold, pesticides, and food additives.How The Public Reacted?Not everyone is on board with Kennedy’s framing. The Autism Society of America criticized his use of the word “epidemic,” saying that rising rates reflect progress in diagnosis, not a national crisis. “We must use prevalence data to drive access, not fear or political rhetoric,” said Christopher Banks, president of the organization.Dr. Doreen Samelson, a clinical officer with California’s Catalight network, also pushed back against Kennedy’s claims. “It’s not simply more autism—it’s more awareness and access,” she said, urging a more nuanced interpretation of the CDC’s findings.