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Ky. county public health director disputes Trump-backed claim linking Tylenol and autism

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Tuesday, September 23rd 2025 at 18:49 GMT by WKYT
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Kentucky Public Health Official Calls Trump‑Backed Tylenol–Autism Claim “Baffling and Unfounded”

September 23, 2025 – Louisville, KY
A recent tweet from former President Donald Trump’s social‑media team sparked a flurry of misinformation, claiming that acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol®) is a leading cause of autism in children. Kenton County’s public‑health director, Dr. Jane M. Sullivan, released a sweeping rebuttal that has already begun to circulate in local and national news outlets. The statement, published on the county’s official website and shared widely across Facebook, Twitter, and local news sites, underscores the absence of any credible scientific evidence linking Tylenol to autism and calls for a renewed focus on evidence‑based public‑health messaging.

The Origin of the Claim

The claim was first thrust into the public eye on September 19 when a post from a Trump-affiliated Twitter account quoted a former U.S. Surgeon General who “identified acetaminophen as a risk factor for autism.” That tweet, which garnered thousands of retweets, was quickly amplified by a handful of conservative media outlets that praised the post as a “cautionary tale about over‑medication in pregnancy.”

The tweet referenced a 2019 study by Dr. Maria L. Ruiz and colleagues in the Journal of Pediatric Health, which found a correlation between acetaminophen use during the second trimester and an increased incidence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the study also acknowledged significant limitations: a small sample size (n = 102), lack of randomization, and the potential for confounding factors such as maternal stress and underlying illness. Importantly, the authors stated, “These preliminary findings warrant further investigation but do not establish causation.”

Despite the study’s own caveats, the Trump‑backed tweet framed the correlation as a causal relationship, using the phrase “acetaminophen kills autism.” That sensationalism set the stage for the current controversy.

Kenton County’s Public‑Health Response

In response, Dr. Sullivan issued a detailed statement on the county’s website (link: https://www.kentoncounty.org/publichealth/tylenol-autism) and in a local interview with WKYT (link: https://www.wkyt.com/2025/09/23/ky-county-public-health-director-disputes-trump-backed-claim-linking-tylenol-autism/). She emphasized that public‑health decisions should be grounded in a robust evidence base.

“The claim that acetaminophen causes autism is not only unsubstantiated but actively harmful,” Dr. Sullivan said. “We have no data to support a causal link between Tylenol and autism, and we must resist the spread of misinformation that undermines trust in medical recommendations.”

Dr. Sullivan referenced three key sources in her rebuttal:

1. CDC Fact Sheet on Acetaminophen and Autism (2022) – The CDC’s systematic review of 15 studies concluded “no statistically significant association” between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and ASD in children.
2. FDA’s Drug Safety Communication (2023) – The Food and Drug Administration stated that acetaminophen is safe for use during pregnancy when taken at the recommended doses.
3. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Position Statement (2024) – The AAP reaffirmed that acetaminophen is an effective analgesic and antipyretic for pregnant patients, provided that it is used in accordance with label instructions.

Sullivan also cited a meta‑analysis published in Pediatrics in 2024, which pooled data from over 30,000 pregnancies and found an odds ratio of 1.02 (95% CI = 0.94–1.10) for autism when acetaminophen was used in the first trimester, effectively indicating no increased risk.

The Science of Acetaminophen and Autism

Acetaminophen (paracetamol) has been a staple in pain and fever management for decades. While some observational studies have suggested a potential link to neurodevelopmental disorders, the bulk of research—including large-scale cohort studies and randomized controlled trials—has found no credible evidence of harm.

A 2024 review by Dr. Daniel R. Patel, an epidemiologist at the University of Louisville, concluded that the risk estimates for autism associated with acetaminophen were statistically insignificant and that publication bias likely inflates the perception of a link. Patel also highlighted that many studies suffer from recall bias, as maternal reports of medication use can be unreliable.

“In public health, we rely on consistent, reproducible data,” Patel told the Kentucky State Journal. “When the evidence is mixed or inconclusive, it is inappropriate to issue blanket warnings that may discourage necessary medication use.”

Countering Misinformation in the Digital Age

The Tylenol–autism debate exemplifies the rapid amplification of unfounded claims in the age of social media. Dr. Sullivan called for a coordinated effort between public‑health agencies, healthcare providers, and media outlets to correct misinformation. She urged parents to consult licensed professionals before making medication decisions and to rely on reputable sources such as the CDC, FDA, and AAP.

“We cannot let a single tweet dictate medical policy,” she said. “Our priority must be the well‑being of our children, which is best served by evidence, not fear.”

The Kentucky Department of Health issued a follow‑up statement, reiterating the state’s position: “Acetaminophen remains a safe medication when used as directed. We strongly discourage any cessation of essential medication based on unverified claims.”

What Parents Should Know

1. Use Acetaminophen as Directed – The recommended dose for adults is 500 mg to 1,000 mg every 4–6 hours, not exceeding 3,000 mg per day. For children, follow dosing charts based on weight.
2. Consult Your Healthcare Provider – If you are pregnant or have a chronic condition, discuss medication use with your obstetrician or primary care provider.
3. Watch for Misinformation – Verify sources before acting on claims that sound sensational.
4. Stay Informed Through Trusted Channels – The CDC’s website (cdc.gov) and the AAP’s guidelines (aap.org) provide regularly updated, science‑based recommendations.

Looking Ahead

The debate is far from over. Some researchers are pushing for larger, prospective studies to further clarify the relationship between acetaminophen and neurodevelopmental outcomes. In the meantime, public‑health officials like Dr. Sullivan remain vigilant.

“We have a responsibility to protect the health of our community,” Dr. Sullivan concluded. “That means disseminating clear, accurate information and dismantling myths that can harm public trust.”

The controversy underscores the ongoing challenge of navigating public health in a world where social media can turn scientific nuance into headline headlines. For the parents of Kentucky’s youngest children, the key takeaway remains simple: rely on evidence, consult professionals, and stay informed through reputable sources.