
RFK Jr.'s $50M autism initiative sparks hope and skepticism
The increased prevalence is attributed to improved access to screening, the CDC has said.
'This [initiative] is an opportunity to supercharge what we are doing,' said
Advertisement
'If we get the money,' Rubenstein said, 'I think we can do a lot of what the [National Institutes of Health] wants us to do, but then we'll have this resource that we can look at outcomes of particular interest … to support the autism community.'
When Kennedy first made his pledge in April to determine the causes of autism, researchers worried it could undermine decades of science by promoting discredited theories linking vaccines to autism.
The
The initiative's guidelines do not specifically list vaccines as a potential nongenetic factor to be studied, but do include pharmaceutical exposure as one possible influence.
Often, researchers face hurdles trying to combine different large databases because of incompatible formats.
BU scientist,
Her proposed mega-dataset would combine census data, including median income, along with other sources, such as proximity to health care and autism specialists in different communities, to see if there are common trends.
Advertisement
'A big part of this application is to not only see if we ... answer questions, but also figure out where the gaps are in research,' Dukes said.
She, however, has reservations that the data she provides might be misconstrued by people who oppose vaccines.
'But that can happen anywhere,' Dukes said. 'I hope good science, in this case, wins.'
Between 10 and 25 grants are expected to be awarded, with most not expected to exceed $5 million for each two- or three-year project, according to the NIH's guidelines. By comparison, the most common NIH grant typically averages a fraction of that amount,
A
It also expressed concern that NIH staff, under the initiative's guidelines, will be involved in the grant review process itself and have far greater involvement in the execution of the funded projects than is standard.
The process, it said in a statement, 'lacks transparency in the awarding and execution of the research to be conducted.'
Still, Rubenstein, from BU, said the larger grants would give him a chance to amass more data than he is able with much smaller NIH awards.
His proposal aims to create a massive dataset combining health insurance claims from Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurers, along with census data to, for instance, provide researchers with a clearer picture of autism's prevalence by Zip code. That may help shed more light on the link between environmental exposures and autism.
Advertisement
Lee has found that some medications taken during pregnancy,
'The way that science had been done before by myself and everyone else is, we looked at suspect medications one at a time, or a handful of drugs,' he said.
'It's a great opportunity to do work in this area. I think everyone, regardless of political affiliation, is interested in the health and well-being of our children and our population,' Lee said. 'Hopefully, some good will come of this funding opportunity.'
Mriganka Sur, a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and director of the
'I do remain worried and even a little skeptical of the goals of this,' said Sur, who turned down an NIH request to review the grant applications because data science is not his expertise.
But, he added, 'it behooves us to support things that can lead to good science. And, as of now, it is possible, even likely, that some good work will come out of this.'
Advertisement
Kay Lazar can be reached at

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
A New COVID Variant Is Here, And It's More Transmissible — Here Are The Signs And Symptoms
A new COVID variant known as NB.1.8.1 has made landfall in the United States. As of late May, the variant, which was first detected in China this past January, accounted for 10% of the SARS-CoV-2 sequences tested from around the world, recent surveillance data found. That's a significant jump from 2.5% four weeks prior. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) spokesperson told HuffPost that the agency is in regular contact with international partners about the activity of NB.1.8.1. Up until late May, only 20 NB.1.8.1 sequences had been identified in the U.S. — that's below the threshold needed for a variant to appear on the agency's COVID dashboard. (As soon as its prevalence increases, NB.1.8.1 will pop up on the tracker, the spokesperson added.) It's nerve-wracking to hear that a new variant is making the rounds, but infectious disease specialists say there are no glaring differences between the symptoms of NB.1.8.1 and those caused by other versions of SARS-CoV-2. 'Currently it appears that NB.1.8.1 would have similar symptoms to other COVID variants that have recently been circulating,' Dr. Zachary Hoy, a pediatric infectious disease specialist with Pediatrix Medical Group in Nashville, Tennessee, told HuffPost. Here's what to know about the newest COVID variant that's gaining traction around the world. NB.1.8.1's mutations likely make it more transmissible. Compared to the currently dominant variant in the U.S. (LP.8.1), NB.1.8.1 has a handful of new mutations on the spike protein that may enhance its ability to bind to our cells, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The agency suspects these mutations will increase the virus's transmissibility and, potentially, diminish the effectiveness of neutralizing antibodies that prevent pathogens from latching to our cells. In other words, the variant may be skilled at dodging some of our immune defenses, research suggests. Here are the signs and symptoms doctors are seeing with NB.1.8.1. According to Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious diseases expert and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security, NB.1.8.1's symptoms are pretty much the same as those seen with other SARS-CoV-2 variants. Two of COVID's hallmark symptoms are a mild but persistent dry cough and nasal congestion, Hoy said. Many people who come down with COVID are also hit with fatigue and tiredness. 'An infected person can still make it through the day, but they are resting more and feel more tired throughout the day,' Hoy said. Other common symptoms include a fever, chills, a sore throat and muscle aches. 'Some have described recent variants as less intense symptoms as compared to wintertime influenza viruses, but both can have severe symptoms,' Hoy said. There's no evidence suggesting the variant causes more severe disease or an uptick in hospitalizations or deaths, the WHO states. The only noticeable aspect, as of now, is that it's rising in prevalence, Adalja said. How effective are the vaccines against NB.1.8.1? It's too early to know exactly how effective the shots are — as the research on NB.1.8.1 is limited since it's so new — but scientists expect the shots to hold up well. NB.1.8.1 broke off from the Omicron JN.1 lineage, which the 2024-2025 vaccines target. 'The ability of the vaccines to prevent severe illness is intact though protection versus infection is limited and transient,' Adalja said. Anyone who is at risk of severe disease should stay up-to-date with the shots. 'Those in older populations or with underlying immune disorders or on immune-decreasing medications would benefit more from vaccination or those with increased exposure such as healthcare workers,' Hoy added. So if you have a condition that puts you at risk, it's worth getting vaccinated if it's been more than six months since your last vaccine or bout of COVID, Adalja advises. He also added that those who are low-risk likely do not need to go out and get another shot. Know when to treat NB.1.8.1 at home and when to go visit a doctor. Most people will be able to recover at home by resting and staying hydrated. While you're sick, acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help alleviate muscle aches and fevers, Hoy said. And, in most cases, symptoms should clear up within a week. For those who are at risk for severe disease, including older adults and people who are immune-compromised, it's worth contacting a physician as they can prescribe antivirals — Paxlovid and Molnupiravir — that can significantly lower the risk of severe complications and death. As was the case with previous variants, these antivirals work best when started within five days of symptom onset. As for when you should go to an urgent care or emergency room? When you have chest pain, have a hard time waking up or staying awake, or feel confused and disoriented, the CDC advises. Hoy says the most concerning symptom he warns patients about is difficulty breathing. 'If you have COVID or COVID-like illness and have worsening trouble breathing or chest pain, you should be evaluated at your doctor's office, urgent care or the ER,' he said. Related... RFK Jr. Says COVID Shot Will No Longer Be Advised For Healthy Kids, Pregnant Women COVID Cases Are Rising This Summer, But Not All The Data Shows It — Here's Why People Are Reporting A Frightening COVID Symptom Right Now — Here's What To Know
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
China grapples with outbreak of deadly mosquito-borne virus
A significant outbreak of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne infection, is sweeping through southern China, with thousands of cases now confirmed. The city of Foshan in Guangdong province has been particularly hard-hit, with reported cases of chikungunya fever soaring to 4,014 by Friday. This marks a rapid escalation since authorities began tracking the infection just two weeks prior, according to public records from local health departments. Sun Yang, deputy director of the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention, described the outbreak as "quite severe" during a news conference in Foshan on Wednesday. The World Health Organisation states that chikungunya, transmitted by infected mosquito bites, typically causes fever and severe joint pain, though fatalities are uncommon. In response, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention has issued advisories for preventing both chikungunya and dengue fever, another mosquito-borne illness. Recommendations include using physical barriers like screen doors and mosquito nets, alongside applying repellent to exposed skin. The CDC also noted the epidemic was "imported," without disclosing its origin. The Chinese agency also called for people who have symptoms like fever, rash and joint pain to see a doctor. Shunde district in Foshan, where 90 per cent of the cases are located, is famous for its Cantonese food, and sees many visitors each year. Patients who tested positive for chikungunya fever stayed in hospital beds covered by mosquito nets, according to photos shown on state-run broadcaster CCTV. Local media reports said on Thursday that local authorities had almost doubled the number of mosquito-proof isolation beds to 7,220 to meet the growing demand. Authorities in Guangdong are urging residents to make sure there's no standing water in their homes, such as in flowerpots, coffee machines or spare bottles. The Health Commission in Foshan stated on Thursday that a fine of up to 10,000 yuan ($1,400) could be applied if violations are found. The Beijing CDC said on Tuesday that the city occasionally experiences imported cases of chikungunya fever. There are two chikungunya vaccines that have received regulatory approvals in several countries and/or have been recommended for use in populations at risk, but the vaccines are neither widely available nor in widespread use, according to WHO. China had its first chikungunya spike in 2010 with 253 cases in Dongguan, a nearby city in the same province, according to the Guangdong provincial CDC. Several cases were found in years since then, but they weren't widespread. The country's first case was imported in 1987, according to research papers and media reports.


Newsweek
7 hours ago
- Newsweek
Texas Removes 1.8 Million People From Health Care Plan
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Almost 1.8 million Americans have been disenrolled from Medicaid health coverage in Texas in the last two years, according to data by KFF, a nonprofit health policy research and news organization. These Americans have lost their health insurance as part of the unwinding process happening nationwide after Medicaid coverage was expanded following the COVID pandemic. A spokesperson for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) told Newsweek it is "committed to ensuring that those qualified for benefits receive them," and worked closely with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) "throughout the public health emergency and the Medicaid unwind process." "Federal guidance required HHSC to redetermine eligibility for 6 million Medicaid clients over the course of 12 months," they added. "Redetermining eligibility within federal requirements was a massive undertaking. Throughout the unwind, HHSC met with our federal partners on a regular basis to ensure that we followed federal guidance, and we will continue to collaborate with CMS to provide eligible Texans with benefits." Why It Matters The unwinding process has resulted in significant drops in Medicaid enrollment across the U.S. in recent years. While some of those disenrolled from Medicaid may still have had access to other forms of health insurance through their employment, those left without insurance could be in a vulnerable position. Higher rates of uninsured populations in states have been associated with negative impacts on health outcomes and medical costs. File photo: doctors treat a child in a hospital. File photo: doctors treat a child in a hospital. Gerald Herbert/AP What To Know During the pandemic, some states expanded Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) while some Americans may have being encouraged to enroll for health coverage given the spread of the virus, causing nationwide enrollment levels to increase. Federal rules then meant states had to keep most Medicaid enrollees on the program even if their eligibility status changed, a requirement which expired in March 2023, allowing states to resume removing individuals from the program. Medicaid enrollment has since steadily declined, driven by both eligibility losses and procedural disenrollments. In Texas, there were 5,922,450 covered by Medicaid in March 2023, but by March 2025, that number was 4,164,694, KFF data shows. This marks a change of almost 1.8 million, a rate of decline faster than in Florida, California and New York. The number of people with Medicaid coverage is now just lower than February 2020 levels, a difference of 1 percent. Reasons for Texas' steeper drop in Medicaid enrollment could be because of the fact it, combined with Florida, New York and California, made up a significant proportion of Medicaid enrollment before the unwinding, Timothy McBride, a professor of public health at Washington University in St. Louis, told Newsweek. All four states together accounted for 36 percent of Medicaid enrollment and subsequently accounted for 31 percent of the drop in the unwinding period between 2020 and 2025, he added. This is in part because the states have large populations, but also because they have some of lowest percentages of health insurance coverage by employers or private plans, McBride said. This is due to "higher poverty rates, especially in Florida and Texas, fewer good jobs that offer health insurance, and a higher percentage of nonwhite persons, especially in Florida, Texas, and California," he said. "If they do not have private coverage they seek Medicaid," he added. For those that were able to gain health insurance through private coverage once being rolled off Medicaid, there is little concern. However, those that may remain uninsured as a result of the unwinding process "I am worried about," McBride said. "The negative outcomes could be delays in seeking needed medical care leading to worse outcomes, lack of prevention, which is especially problematic if they have chronic conditions, bad mental health and financial outcomes, and higher medical debt since they have to pay for more out of pocket," he added. What People Are Saying Timothy D. McBride, professor of public health at Washington University in St. Louis, told Newsweek: "Part of the drop is people who maintained Medicaid coverage on paper because they got it at some point during the pandemic but remained there through the PHE. Yet some may have moved along and obtained other coverage, so really were not needing the Medicaid anyway. The group we are concerned about is those who have become uninsured or who lost the coverage for procedural reasons. It appears from some work that maybe 30 percent or so of those who lost coverage may be uninsured. And a lot of people—around that number lost coverage for procedural reasons, many of them children." Laura Dague, a professor of health policy at Texas A&M University, told Newsweek: "How impactful the decreases in enrollment will be in terms of individual health depend on how aware people were of their ongoing coverage and how often they used it, and there is not much empirical evidence on this topic at the moment. A much bigger issue for Texas in my opinion will be the upcoming projected decreases in Marketplace enrollment due to decreasing subsidies; Texas has had major growth in that market in the last few years as subsidies increased." What Happens Next As the unwinding continues, more reductions in enrollment are expected in the state, and across the country. With millions already having lost health coverage, concerns remain about access to care for low-income individuals and families.