Kennedy has said his agency will explore possible causes of autism and plans to release findings by September. The CDC estimates that 1 in 31 8-year-olds nationwide had autism in 2022. Scientists say the rise may owe to several factors, including better diagnosis, older parents and genetics, The Wall Street Journal said.

Anti-vaccine advocate and current Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took to social media Wednesday to announce the names of eight people he is appointing to a critical federal vaccine advisory committee—which is currently empty after Kennedy abruptly fired all 17 previous members Monday.