Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. controversially linked the increase in autism diagnoses to environmental toxins, contradicting expert consensus.
Experts attribute the rise to improved diagnosis and screening, not an actual increase in cases fueled by environmental factors.
Kennedy's assertion of a preventable 'epidemic' caused by environmental toxins ignores extensive research showing a lack of direct causation.
This statement sparked significant criticism from health professionals and organizations who emphasize the need for evidence-based approaches.
