Zoe Gross, director of advocacy at the Autism Self Advocacy Network, criticized Health Secretary Kennedy's statements about an "autism epidemic," calling them a tactic to increase stigma against autism and autistic individuals. Kennedy, who previously led the anti-vaccine organization Children's Health Defense from 2015 to 2023, has denied opposing vaccines, including encouraging people to take the measles vaccine during a recent outbreak in the US.
https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2025/04/16/autism-robert-f-kennedy-Jr/1201744828406/Justin Bieber's mental health has sparked concern among his fans and former collaborators. Poo Bear expressed support for the singer, saying he prays for him to be okay. A former member of Bieber's team described seeing him "disintegrate" as a worrying sign that he is not living his purpose.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1302040-justin-biebers-mental-health-struggles-raise-concerns-among-ex-collaboratorsOther researchers suggest that the surge in autism diagnoses may be due to increased testing for milder cases and reduced stigma around the issue, leading to more tests being conducted. However, Kennedy disagrees, arguing that some researchers and media outlets are perpetuating "epidemic denial" by downplaying the increase in diagnoses as a result of improved diagnostic methods or changing criteria.
https://www.deseret.com/politics/2025/04/16/rfk-jr-warns-against-rising-autism-rates/Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is set to discuss a new CDC report revealing an increase in autism prevalence in the US, from 1 in 36 children to 1 in 31, according to the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network survey. The discussion will take place at the University of Utah, where Kennedy visited earlier this month to address concerns over a new fluoride ban and food additives legislation.
https://krcgtv.com/news/nation-world/health-and-human-services-secretary-rfk-robert-f-kennedy-jr-to-address-autism-rise-and-causes-in-latest-cdc-centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention-report-developmental-disabilities-testing-research#US Health Secretary Kennedy Jr has sparked controversy by claiming that autism is a "preventable disease", contradicting medical experts. This statement has raised concerns among the medical community, who argue that autism is a complex condition with no known cause or cure. Kennedy's comments have been met with criticism from experts such as Dr. Eric Lander, who has worked on the Autism Genome Project, and Dr. Temple Grandin, a renowned autism spokesperson. The US health secretary's assertion that autism can be prevented contradicts decades of scientific research and evidence-based medicine.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/autism-is-preventable-disease-us-health-secretary-kennedy-jr-contradicts-medical-experts-again-13880614.htmlHealth and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is determined to find the cause of rising autism cases, stating "everything is on the table." Meanwhile, a top official at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Kevin Hall, has abruptly retired after 21 years due to censorship under Kennedy's leadership. Hall had been investigating ultra-processed food addiction and its link to chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/top-health-official-accuses-rfk-jr-s-agency-censorshipMental health expert Mae advises taking a break to regroup and make a plan before returning to work. Cheng suggests considering the workplace culture and professional relationships when discussing a mental health leave with a manager, recommending that individuals who fear an unsympathetic response simply state they need medical leave.
https://apnews.com/article/mental-health-leave-work-depression-anxiety-d5b2969b8325cff74f5bb0dc2fb9bdf8A new health class at Mansfield Senior High School in Ohio is focusing on teaching teenagers how to improve their sleep habits, as studies have shown that teens are more sleep-deprived than ever. The course aims to address the growing concern about the impact of poor sleep on youth mental health, with experts suggesting a link between lack of sleep and increased risk of anxiety and depression among young people.
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/health-and-well-being/schools-now-teaching-teens-how-to-sleep-better-1873342Michigan Republicans have proposed school safety and mental health bills, including a comprehensive system with community and faith-based services. In Colorado, Jeffco and Douglas County districts will soon screen for dyslexia in early elementary school, building on the existing universal screenings in about a dozen other districts. Meanwhile, Adams City officials have restored $167 million for early childhood education amid federal funding threats to Head Start providers, which are facing instability due to the Trump administration's policies.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/2025/04/17/lawmakers-reject-attempt-to-ban-seclusion-in-schools/