With opponent Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services, autism could become the focus on a national scale within his department. He’s truly committed to “get to the bottom” of why it continues to happen. He’s getting ready to put out an inching report. This report will address the potential connection between taking acetaminophen, or paracetamol, during pregnancy and the increased risk of autism in offspring. In our online world, this report has gone completely viral these past few days. The fact that President Donald Trump called the announcement “very important” in advance has only further fueled the speculation and expectation.
To prepare In advance of those conversations, Kenvue CEO Kirk Perry personally joined Kennedy to discuss the upcoming report. During their meeting, Perry attempted to dissuade Kennedy from linking Tylenol to autism, citing concerns about the implications for public health. And as for Tylenol maker Kenvue, it has touted the absence of credible evidence linking acetaminophen use to autism.
“We believe independent, sound science clearly shows that taking acetaminophen does not cause autism.” – Kenvue spokesperson
Regularly, Kenvue executives have pointed out that there are no safe alternatives that mothers can take to reduce a fever during pregnancy. Given this context, the potential implications of Kennedy’s report are particularly profound. The company has referenced “over a decade of rigorous research, endorsed by leading medical professionals and global health regulators,” asserting that these studies have found “no proven link between taking acetaminophen and autism.”
Kennedy’s investigation will be zeroing in on acetaminophen alone. It will look into other possible connections to autism, like a lack of folate in pregnant women. This more comprehensive analysis might help shape national discourse and policy towards prioritizing prenatal care and access to medication.
All we know for sure so far is that President Trump has proposed a very big autism-related announcement from his administration coming Monday. Specifics about this announcement—and indeed, all of these announcements—remain under wraps. We don’t yet know the contents of the legislation, but we anticipate it will coincide with the adoption of Kennedy’s report.
“I think it’s going to be a very important announcement.” – Donald Trump
As first reported by the Wall Street Journal, Kennedy intends to release this report to the public. It would be a tremendous blow to corporate public health messaging and to the pharmaceutical industry. As discussions unfold, the scientific community remains watchful for updates regarding the findings and potential recommendations stemming from Kennedy’s inquiries.