US President Donald Trump has attracted condemnation from health experts after he sought to claim that there was a link between the widely used painkiller Tylenol and autism.
Accompanied by his Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, Trump said that doctors would soon be advised against recommending the drug to pregnant women.
Medical professionals have criticized these statements, with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists calling the remarks unsettling and lacking reliable data. The UK's National Autism Society labeled Trump's statements dangerous and anti-science.
During the news conference, Trump cited statistics alleging that autism diagnoses in the US have escalated from about one in 10,000 two decades ago to one in 31 by 2025. While the claim of one in 31 is accurate, experts argue this rise reflects changes in diagnosis rather than an actual increase in prevalence.
Moreover, Trump suggested that California has a more severe issue with autism but did not provide substantial evidence. The CDC points to initiatives in California that increase autism diagnosis recognition as a likely reason for perceived higher rates.
Trump also touched upon the MMR vaccine, claiming it should be administered separately due to potential autism risks. This notion stems from debunked theories dating back to discredited studies, which health experts warn could bolster anti-vaccine sentiments and reignite outbreaks of preventable diseases.
Additionally, Trump referenced the Amish community, asserting they have virtually no autism. However, limited studies exist regarding autism rates among the Amish, and experts speculate that the lack of diagnoses may relate to their healthcare practices rather than an actual absence of cases.
Trump's history with autism and vaccines dates back almost two decades, with his views having evolved amidst political shifts. His recent remarks continue to stir controversy, particularly as the US faces rising vaccination concerns and disease outbreaks.
