President Donald J. Trump and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. have announced a series of initiatives aimed at addressing the increasing rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the United States. The announcement, made from the Roosevelt Room, highlighted that ASD now affects 1 in 31 American children, a nearly 400% increase since 2000.
Secretary Kennedy said, "For too long, families have been left without answers or options as autism rates have soared." He outlined actions including opening an FDA-recognized treatment pathway and investing in research to provide hope to affected families.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is set to publish a Federal Register notice regarding leucovorin for cerebral folate deficiency associated with autism. This will establish it as the first FDA-recognized therapeutic for children with these symptoms. The update allows state Medicaid programs to cover leucovorin for ASD in collaboration with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will also conduct trials and research on leucovorin's impact.
CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz emphasized the importance of this initiative: "Today’s actions represent an unprecedented, comprehensive approach... By providing access to a drug to treat symptoms associated with autism, we are providing hope."
Additionally, HHS plans to address acetaminophen use during pregnancy due to studies suggesting potential risks of neurodevelopmental outcomes linked to its use. The FDA will issue notices and work on updating safety labels while launching a public service campaign.
FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary commented on leucovorin's potential benefits: "A growing body of evidence suggests that some children suffering from autism are folate deficient within the brain—a problem that can be treated with leucovorin."
Furthermore, NIH has announced funding for 13 projects under the Autism Data Science Initiative (ADSI), totaling over $50 million. These projects aim to transform autism research by integrating various data types and employing advanced methods like machine learning.
NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya remarked on the initiative's significance: "With the Autism Data Science Initiative, NIH is harnessing cutting-edge science to uncover the root causes of autism."
For more information about these initiatives, visit [the official website](https://www.hhs.gov).
Information from this article can be found here.
