“By September, we’ll know what caused the autism outbreak, and we’ll be able to eliminate those exposures,” the health secretary said.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the US has begun a new “large” effort to learn what has caused autism rates in recent years.
“We have launched a massive testing and research effort involving hundreds of scientists from around the world,” Kennedy told a cabinet meeting in Washington on April 10.
“By September, we will know what caused the autism epidemic, and we can eliminate those exposures.”
It is not clear which researchers are involved. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
People on the autism spectrum have developmental disorders and can exhibit symptoms such as difficulty in communicating and suffering from problems such as seizures. Some may see therapists develop better life skills.
“Together, we will end the chronic disease outbreak and keep our children safe, healthy and disease-free,” Trump said in his inaugural address.
Trump said Thursday that the fact that so many children have autism is “a scary statistic and there needs to be something out there doing this.”
Speaking to Kennedy, he said: “So, do you think you have a pretty good idea? There’s no bigger press conference.”
