The NIH, under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s initiative, will begin collecting private health records to investigate the causes and cures for autism. NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya shared that existing data resources are often fragmented, making it difficult to obtain comprehensive information. Kennedy, despite his controversial stance on vaccinations and unfounded claims that they cause autism, aims to identify environmental toxins linked to autism’s rising prevalence. However, experts caution that autism likely results from multiple factors, complicating the search for a singular cause.
The NIH plans to gather information from a wide range of private sources, including pharmacy chains, hospitals and wearable devices with health sensors, like smartwatches.
Kennedy has made autism research a central pillar of his role as America's official health advocate, despite promoting anti-science claims regarding vaccinations.
Bhattacharya explained that even data resources within the federal government are often difficult to obtain and that existing resources are fragmented.
Experts warn that there is likely no single factor determining an autism diagnosis, contrary to Kennedy's quest for a single 'environmental toxin'.
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