RFK Jr.’s Autism Study to Use Massive U.S. Medical Record Database

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is compiling a sweeping dataset of American health records for autism research under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s direction. The initiative will aggregate data from federal agencies, commercial providers, insurance companies, wearable devices, and more—creating one of the most comprehensive platforms ever for autism and chronic disease research. Researchers selected through NIH’s normal grant process will study everything from medication histories to genetics and smartwatch data. A new autism disease registry will also be launched as part of the initiative. While Kennedy has drawn criticism for labeling autism as “preventable,” which many advocacy groups dispute, the NIH insists the effort will be high-quality and respectful of autism’s diverse manifestations. NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya said data access will include strong confidentiality safeguards and be limited to viewing—not downloading. Though Kennedy previously suggested they’d identify autism’s causes by September, the NIH now says grants may begin by then, with no firm timeline on breakthroughs.

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Source: CBS News