Fact check: Https://newrepublic.com/post/194245/rfk-jr-disease-registry-track-autistic-people

1. Summary of the results

The creation of an autism registry by the NIH under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been reported by CBS News and other media outlets ^[1], though independent verification was not immediately available and NIH had not explicitly confirmed the details at the time of reporting ^[2]. The initiative would involve collecting medical records from various sources, including pharmacy chains, VA health systems, and insurance claims ^[1], with NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya confirming plans for such data collection ^[3].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several crucial contextual elements need to be considered:

• Scientific Consensus: There is no scientific evidence linking vaccines to autism, despite RFK Jr.'s continued claims. The apparent increase in autism diagnoses is primarily attributed to broader diagnostic criteria and increased awareness ^[4].
• Expert Opposition: Multiple experts, including clinical psychologists and psychiatric epidemiologists, have consistently rejected any connection between vaccines and autism ^[4]. Even Republican senators have stated this topic has been "exhaustively studied" ^[5].
• Autism Reality: Less than 40% of children with autism have an intellectual disability, contradicting broad generalizations about autistic individuals ^[6]. Kennedy's claim about determining the "cause" of autism by September has been criticized as unrealistic, with experts emphasizing that autism's causes are complex ^[6].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

Several concerning elements emerge:

• Credibility Issues: RFK Jr. has a documented history of spreading medical misinformation, particularly regarding vaccines ^[7]. His statements about autism have been criticized by advocates as harmful and stigmatizing ^[3].
• Political Context: The initiative appears to be part of a broader pattern of Kennedy's controversial health claims. His continued push of vaccine-autism narratives persists despite extensive research disproving such connections ^[5].
• Beneficiaries: Those who might benefit from this registry include:
• Political figures like RFK Jr., who can use it to support their existing narratives
• Organizations that might receive funding for data collection and research
• Those who profit from promoting alternative medical treatments or anti-vaccine messaging

The creation of such a registry raises significant concerns about potential misuse of medical data to support predetermined conclusions rather than conduct unbiased research.