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RFK Jr. Delays Autism Study Timeline, Targets March for Definitive Findings

The HHS Secretary cites the need for rigorous replication studies while federal data show autism prevalence continues to rise.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., testifies before a Senate Committee on Appropriations subcommittee hearing to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2026 for the Department of Health and Human Services, on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Washington.
RFK, Jr. gives update on autism research efforts
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U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies at a Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing in the Dirksen Senate office building in Washington, DC on May 14. Photo by Annabelle Gordon/UPI

Overview

  • Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has extended the timeline for determining autism's causes, now projecting definitive findings by March 2026 instead of September 2025.
  • Kennedy announced that 15 new scientific teams will be deployed, with initial replication studies expected to be completed by September.
  • Experts, including NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, have expressed skepticism about the feasibility of reaching definitive conclusions within such tight timeframes, emphasizing the slow pace of scientific research.
  • New federal data reveal that autism diagnoses in the U.S. have increased, with 1 in 31 children now identified on the spectrum, up from 1 in 36 previously.
  • The Make America Healthy Again Commission's report links rising childhood chronic illnesses to ultraprocessed foods, environmental toxins, and overmedication, drawing criticism from agricultural groups concerned about industry impacts.