About the Article: Results of this survey study of more than 30,000 US adults found that about one-quarter of respondents endorsed childhood vaccination or acetaminophen use during pregnancy as autism risk factors. These beliefs were more common among individuals with certain sociodemographic characteristics and political affiliations, whereas greater trust in scientific and medical institutions was associated with lower rates of endorsement. Results of this survey study suggest that non–evidence-based beliefs about autism risk were prevalent among US adults and were strongly associated with sociodemographic differences and political affiliation. Limiting public health impact of such non–evidence-based information will likely require targeted interventions that recognize the heterogeneity of such beliefs.
Corresponding Author: Roy H. Perlis, MD, MSc, Center for Quantitative Health, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge St, 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02114 (rperlis@mgh.harvard.edu).
10.1001/jamahealthforum.2026.4105
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JAMA Health Forum