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WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has pledged urgent federal action to investigate and address the rising prevalence of autism in American children, calling it a national health crisis that demands immediate attention.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Kennedy revealed that federal researchers are making progress in identifying environmental contributors to autism, and he promised that by September, the department would release findings that could pinpoint the root causes of what he called an “epidemic.”
“We are close to understanding what’s behind this dramatic rise in autism diagnoses,” said Kennedy. “Our mission is not just to understand it, but to eliminate the cause and protect future generations.”
The announcement comes amid alarming new data showing that 1 in 31 children in the United States is now diagnosed with autism up from 1 in 36 just last year. The steep rise has intensified public demand for transparent, science-based investigation and comprehensive healthcare reforms.
The Secretary’s remarks also follow a recent case that shocked the nation: the deaths of two children linked to hospital negligence, which has reignited scrutiny over pediatric care standards, particularly for children with developmental conditions.
Autism advocacy groups and medical professionals have welcomed the administration’s renewed focus, but many stress that research must be evidence-based and free from political influence.
“Families have been waiting for decades for answers and action,” said one public health advocate. “We hope this marks a turning point.”
Kennedy has not specified which environmental factors are being investigated, though past studies have looked at a range of possibilities from prenatal exposures and pollutants to diet, medications, and early-life stressors.
As the September deadline approaches, both scientific communities and the public will be watching closely to see whether the promised breakthroughs materialize and how they will shape future autism policy and prevention strategies.
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