Introduction & Context
Autism diagnosis rates have risen five-fold since 2000, largely due to broader screening. Kennedy’s “autism is preventable” rhetoric taps parental anxiety but revives discredited vaccine myths.
Background & History
Past attempts at national health registries—like the 1970s cancer database—improved research but faced strict HIPAA safeguards. Kennedy’s expedited timeline raises questions about ethical review.
Key Stakeholders & Perspectives
Autism advocates see potential funding for services but fear misuse; epidemiologists doubt registry accuracy; civil-liberties groups warn of surveillance creep; tech firms supplying wearables eye lucrative data contracts.
Analysis & Implications
Large datasets can spotlight environmental factors, yet conflating correlation with causation risks policy misfires. Public backlash could chill legitimate autism research if trust erodes.
Looking Ahead
Congressional hearings on medical data rights start in May. Watch whether NIH publishes clear opt-out pathways and whether insurers balk at sharing claims without explicit member consent.