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A national coalition of health professionals and scientists is warning Americans not to believe any new alleged causes for autism spectrum disorder announced by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as the agency prepares to reveal “interventions” contributing to the rising rates of the condition.
The group, called Defend Public Health, urges the public to confirm whatever new information is released from HHS with other sources before accepting it as fact, especially if it related to a possible link between vaccines and autism.
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. told President Donald Trump last week that the agency is on track to identify “interventions” that are “certainly causing autism” along with possible ways to address them by September.
He pledged to find the cause for the growing number of autism diagnoses in the country in April, calling it an “epidemic.”
Kennedy has said he believes environmental factors or vaccines are likely behind the growing rate of autism spectrum disorder, arguing that federal authorities have blocked research supporting these claims.
On Wednesday, DPH released a report explaining the numerous scientific studies that show vaccines “without a doubt” do not cause autism.
“Kennedy has been peddling nonsense about vaccines and autism for years,” said Elizabeth Jacobs, professor or epidemiology from the University of Arizona and member of DPH.
Jacobs was the lead author of a DPH report published Wednesday explaining the numerous scientific studies that show how vaccines “without a doubt” do not cause autism.
“He’s clearly on the hunt for anything that seems to back up his views, no matter how much he has to stretch the truth to get it.”
In the report, DPH stresses that there is no “autism epidemic” but that the condition is now better understood and that improved diagnostic methods and increased reporting of autism cases have led to the rise in cases in recent years.
It also notes that environmental factors can play a role, but that genetics is the primary risk factor for autism.
“This report clearly documents and explains the many scientific studies that show that, without a doubt, vaccines are safe and they do not cause autism,” said James Alwine, a virologist and professor at the University of Pennsylvania.
An HHS spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Hill.
