Report

September 3, 2025

Risk Factors for Autism Spectrum Disorder: What We Already Know From Scientific Evidence

Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who as of late August 2025 says he is nearly ready to announce “causes” of a supposed “autism epidemic,” has a long history of fraudulent claims about autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including his repeatedly-disproven theory that vaccines cause it. Kennedy clearly decided long ago that vaccines in particular cause ASD, rejecting data that debunk this claim and energetically searching for anything that supports his preconceived notion – no matter how tenuous or far-fetched.

In order to clear the air and prepare the public to understand any falsehoods in Kennedy's announcement, DPH has put together a review of what research truly tells us about ASD, including why the whole notion of an "autism epidemic" is false.

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Improving the Health of Americans Together: An evidence-based framework for addressing the root causes of illness in the U.S

As an alternative to HHS Sec. Kennedy's flawed, dishonest "MAHA Report," Defend Public Health offers some key policies to truly improve Americans’ health. While certainly not exhaustive, our report outlines evidence-based approaches we believe would make a real difference. We pay close attention to social determinants of health -- economic and social factors often related to poverty and discrimination -- that play a huge role.

Talking Points: Sounding the Alarm about CDC Budget Cuts FY2026

A volunteer network of about 350 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention alumni and concerned citizens with broad expertise has created this series of evidence-based talking points for reaching elected officials about opposing proposed cuts to the CDC.

Defend Public Health is honored to partner with them to make this information available to the public. Please share and amplify.

Media Training: We've entered a new world

Communicating Scientific Messages to the Media

Scientific training may not prepare you to communicate scientific and medical information to the public -- skills that have become crucial as we work to combat misinformation and disinformation. In this video, immunologist and science communicator Aimee Pugh Bernard, Ph.D., walks us through the basics of communicating scientific information through media interviews.

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