U.S. President Donald Trump has come under fire from health experts after he suggested a potential link between the painkiller Tylenol (known as paracetamol in various regions) and rising rates of autism during a recent White House press conference.
Accompanied by Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, Trump indicated that physicians might soon be instructed against recommending Tylenol to pregnant women, sparking backlash from medical organizations. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists described the claim as unsettling and based on unreliable data, while the UK's National Autism Society declared it dangerous and irresponsible.
In this article, we examine the statistics and allegations presented by Trump during his briefing. He stated that autism diagnoses have dramatically increased from one in 10,000 to one in 31 since two decades ago. While accurate in asserting that the current rate is one in 31, this figure departs from the former statistics he cited. Data indicate that the incidence was closer to one in 110 in 2006 and one in 88 in 2008, showcasing a more gradual rise over the years.
Experts explain that the uptick in autism diagnoses is largely attributable to refined diagnostic criteria and heightened awareness, rather than an actual escalation in cases. Trump also claimed that autism is more prevalent in California than elsewhere, referencing a CDC study that indeed found that about one in 12 boys in California are diagnosed, partly due to local initiatives enhancing early identification.
Another controversial point was Trump's suggestion that the mumps, measles, and rubella (MMR) vaccine should be administered in separate doses instead of combined. This notion invokes misplaced fears, as the discredited theory linking vaccines to autism has been debunked by numerous extensive studies, including a 2019 study involving over 657,000 children.
Moreover, Trump asserted that the Amish community, which he claimed has “virtually no autism cases,” supports his drug use argument. However, this assertion lacks substantial evidence, with few surveys conducted regarding autism prevalence among the Amish population, who tend to be less involved in mainstream medical systems.
Trump's long-standing claims regarding vaccination and autism trace back to nearly 20 years ago, during which he has made various remarks that have raised alarm among public health officials. His recent position coincides with Kennedy's known association with anti-vaccine sentiments, complicating the narrative surrounding vaccine efficacy and safety.
The commentary released by public health authorities emphatically states that current immunization suggestions, including the MMR vaccine protocol, are well-supported by empirical research, reinforcing the notion that President Trump's allegations have no basis in scientific fact.
