Prominent autism researchers, groups in dark about RFK Jr.'s study

HHS secretary has vowed to find the causes of autism by fall. Yet so far, researchers and patient groups haven't been asked to contribute.

April 16, 2025 Check out STAT+

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Andrew Harnik/Getty Images RFK Jr. promises autism answers by September. Prominent researchers and advocates have heard little  Robert F. Kennedy Jr. vows to find the causes of autism by September. Yet so far, researchers and patient groups haven't been asked to contribute. By Isabella Cueto Salvation Army faces class-action suit over denying addiction medications Charity offers recovery housing but not for users of addiction medicines like buprenorphine or methadone. Class-action suit could expand treatment access. By Lev Facher STAT+ | Trump's plans to lower drug prices have echoes of past efforts New health care initiative contains items already struck down by courts, and a 'pill penalty' move designed to lower prices will raise them, critics say. By John Wilkerson STAT STAT+ | Device maker that helped UnitedHealth collect billions offers to settle fraud claims with DOJ Semler Scientific revealed the preliminary agreement in an SEC filing Tuesday, but noted the government could still reject the offer. By Lizzy Lawrence Opinion: The CDC's critical occupational safety institute has been virtually wiped out Restoration of NIOSH is essential to support industries critical to the country, from agriculture to manufacturing. By Meghan F. Davis, Kirsten Koehler, Judy Bass, Julie Sorensen, and Gurumurthy Ramachandran WHO member countries agree on a draft 'pandemic treaty' to try to avoid Covid-19 mistakes The treaty sets guidelines for how the international community might confront the next global health crisis. By Associated Press Opinion: Why cats are so vulnerable to H5N1 bird flu Veterinarian and epidemiologist Meghan F. Davis explains how little we know about the spread of H5N1 in cats — and why that's so dangerous to humans. By Torie Bosch STAT+ | Opinion: Promising signs for stem cell-based therapies for Parkinson's in two new studies Larger trials of allogeneic cells for Parkinson's disease with more participants and additional features like blinding and placebo controls are crucial. By Paul Knoepfler

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