分类： health

US President Donald Trump has sparked significant backlash from health experts following his assertion of a link between the widely used painkiller Tylenol (paracetamol in some countries) and autism. Speaking alongside Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, Trump suggested that doctors would soon be advised against recommending the drug to pregnant women. This claim has been met with strong opposition from medical professionals. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists labeled the announcement ‘unsettling’ and lacking ‘reliable data,’ while the UK’s National Autism Society called it ‘dangerous, anti-science, and irresponsible.’

During a White House press conference, Trump cited statistics indicating a rise in autism diagnoses in the US, claiming the rate had increased from ‘one in 10,000’ 18 years ago to ‘one in 31’ by 2025. While the latter figure is accurate according to 2022 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the rate of increase was significantly less dramatic than Trump suggested. Experts attribute the rise in autism diagnoses primarily to improved diagnostic methods and greater awareness.

Trump also claimed that California has a ‘more severe problem’ with autism, citing CDC data showing one in 12 eight-year-old boys in the state had autism. However, the CDC noted that California’s proactive screening initiatives likely contributed to higher identification rates. Additionally, Trump suggested that the mumps, measles, and rubella (MMR) vaccine should be administered separately rather than as a combined shot, a claim that experts fear could lead to reduced vaccination rates and the resurgence of preventable diseases.

The president’s comments echoed long-debunked theories linking vaccines to autism, which originated from a discredited 1998 study by Andrew Wakefield. Multiple studies, including a 2019 Danish study involving over 650,000 children, have found no such link. Trump also cited the Amish community as having ‘virtually no autism,’ attributing this to low Tylenol use. However, limited research on autism in the Amish population makes this claim unsubstantiated.

Trump’s remarks have reignited concerns about the spread of misinformation and its potential impact on public health. Health experts urge the public to rely on evidence-based medical advice rather than unverified claims.

Dr. Mayank Amin, a Pennsylvania-based pharmacist who became a local hero during the COVID-19 pandemic by dressing as Superman to deliver vaccines, has once again donned the iconic suit. Amin, owner of Skippack Pharmacy in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, has been administering thousands of COVID-19 shots in September as patients rushed to get vaccinated amid concerns over shifting U.S. government policies that could affect eligibility. While Amin has largely retired the Superman costume, he still uses it for special clinics, particularly for children who request it. ‘It’s kind of like how a firefighter’s costume hangs at the station,’ Amin remarked. ‘It’s better that it stays on the wall.’ The surge in demand for vaccines has been fueled by uncertainty surrounding health insurance coverage and the upcoming recommendations from the CDC’s advisory panel. The FDA recently narrowed its approval for COVID-19 vaccines to individuals aged 65 and older or those at risk for severe disease. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania and 16 other states have granted pharmacists the authority to follow medical organizations’ recommendations, further complicating the landscape. Skippack Pharmacy has extended its hours to meet the demand, with Amin noting, ‘We had calls and messages and people waiting outside, just like the old COVID days.’

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a significant shift in its regulatory approach to nicotine pouches, a popular smoking alternative, through a new pilot program. Internal meeting transcripts reveal that the FDA will no longer require manufacturers to conduct costly, product-specific studies to assess their impact on public health. Instead, the agency will rely on existing general research to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of these products. This move marks a departure from the FDA’s historically stringent review process, which has been a major hurdle for companies like Philip Morris International, Altria, and British American Tobacco, whose brands Zyn, On!, and Velo are expected to benefit from the pilot. The FDA’s decision aims to streamline the approval process while maintaining a focus on public health, particularly in helping smokers transition away from traditional cigarettes. However, experts have raised concerns about the potential risks, including the possibility of increased youth usage and the lack of product-specific data to ensure the safety and efficacy of individual offerings. The pilot program, while still in its early stages, could set a precedent for future regulatory changes in other nicotine product categories, such as vapes. The FDA has emphasized that the program does not lower scientific standards, but critics argue that the move may compromise public health safeguards.

In a significant move to address federal vaccine policy changes, seven northeastern U.S. states, including New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, have united to establish the Northeast Public Health Collaborative. This coalition aims to issue independent vaccine recommendations, particularly in response to the Trump administration’s controversial alterations to federal health guidelines. The initiative mirrors the West Coast Health Alliance, a similar coalition of California and three other western states, which recently released its own vaccine recommendations surpassing federal guidelines. The Northeast group also includes Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, and New York City, all Democratic-led states. The coalitions’ formation underscores a broader effort to counteract federal restrictions on vaccine accessibility, including for COVID-19, under the leadership of U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, a known vaccine skeptic. Kennedy’s decision in June to dismiss all members of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine advisory panel and replace them with like-minded advisors has raised concerns among medical experts. The panel, which determines vaccine schedules and coverage, is currently reviewing potential changes to the nation’s childhood immunization schedule, a move that could have dire public health consequences. New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the Northeast coalition has agreed to recommend updated COVID-19 vaccines for children aged six months to 18 years, older children and adults with specific risk factors, and adults over 64. The coalition also advocates for universal adult vaccination. Hochul emphasized New York’s commitment to ensuring vaccine access for all residents, criticizing federal policies as ‘misguided attacks on science.’ Meanwhile, medical organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics are preparing their own vaccine recommendations for the upcoming respiratory illness season, including COVID-19.

The Trump administration has unveiled a new global health strategy, titled ‘America First Global Health Strategy,’ which marks a significant shift in how the United States approaches international health aid. Released on Thursday, the strategy emphasizes direct collaboration with recipient countries, prioritizing frontline health supplies, staff, and country-to-country agreements over traditional contractor-based models. This move comes after months of uncertainty following sweeping cuts to foreign aid earlier this year.

The plan requires recipient nations to co-invest in global health goals, particularly in combating diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and polio. It also outlines a transition from aid dependency to self-reliance over the next few years. Notably, the strategy does not address several areas previously prioritized, including maternal and child health, cholera, and vaccine-preventable diseases like measles.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the need to retain effective aspects of U.S. health foreign assistance while addressing inefficiencies. The strategy, however, lacks specific budget details, leaving questions about its financial feasibility. This announcement follows the dismantling of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which was integrated into the State Department as part of President Trump’s broader plan to reduce foreign aid.

The strategy also proposes changes to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a program previously lauded for its success. The new approach aims to allocate more funding directly to purchasing drugs and supporting health workers, reducing programmatic overheads that previously consumed up to 60% of funds. Additionally, the U.S. plans to promote its health innovations and products globally.

Critics, however, argue that an effective response to infectious diseases requires more than just products. Asia Russell, director of Health GAP, an HIV advocacy group, emphasized the importance of outreach to ensure patients access healthcare systems. She expressed concern that the U.S. is retreating from its leadership role in global health, particularly in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The strategy also commits to a 72-hour U.S. response to disease outbreaks threatening Americans but notably omits any mention of climate change, which experts link to the increasing frequency of global outbreaks. Senior administration officials indicated that the U.S. will use next week’s U.N. General Assembly meetings in New York to engage in bilateral discussions with countries, aiming to finalize transition plans by March 2025.

In a significant move to enhance vaccine research and policy, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has formed two new specialized working groups. These teams will focus on vaccines during pregnancy and the childhood immunization schedule, as announced by Dr. Martin Kulldorff, chair of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), on September 18, 2025. The working groups, composed of ACIP members, CDC staff, and external experts, aim to address critical gaps in vaccine safety and efficacy for these vulnerable populations. The initiative underscores the CDC’s commitment to advancing public health through targeted, evidence-based strategies. The announcement follows a series of meetings held in Atlanta, Georgia, where Dr. Kulldorff and other experts discussed the evolving landscape of immunization practices. This development is expected to have far-reaching implications for healthcare policies and maternal and child health outcomes in the United States.