The Trump administration is urging public health agencies to prioritize investigations of vaccine injuries, prescription drug use and autism's causes. The call is part of a new "Make America Healthy Again" report released Tuesday. Overseen by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the report aims to end childhood diseases in the U.S. by refocusing public health on his so-called "MAHA" movement's priorities. The report suggests using personal medical records and health insurance data to investigate diseases and disorders, including autism. It also addresses issues like ultraprocessed food consumption and water quality. And it calls for increased oversight of prescription drug ads, especially those by social media influencers.

U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s stark comments about children with autism have splintered a community of millions of people who are living with the disorder. The health secretary asserts children with autism will never pay taxes, hold a job or go out on a date. For some families, Kennedy's remarks are an overdue recognition of the day-to-day difficulties for families with autistic loved ones. To others, Kennedy deeply misrepresents the realities of their disability, provoking concern about his ability to handle a sweeping assessment of the disorder. Kennedy plans to launch a broad-based study of what causes autism, a complex developmental disorder.

Scientists have transplanted human brain cells into the brains of baby rats, where the cells grew and formed connections.

New autism numbers released Thursday suggest more U.S. children are being diagnosed with the developmental condition and at younger ages.