Many U.S. adults hold debunked beliefs about autism risk, particularly involving childhood vaccines and acetaminophen use during pregnancy, according to a study in JAMA Health Forum.Why It’s Relevant
Believing that childhood vaccines cause autism may result in adults avoiding vaccinations for their children, promote the spread of vaccine-preventable illness such as measles, and increase child deaths. Believing that taking acetaminophen during pregnancy causes autism may mean that pregnant people go without pain relief or fever reduction.
By the Numbers
- Researchers analyzed survey data (taken between December 18, 2025, and January 27, 2026) from 30,288 adults. Participants ranked their belief in 12 biological or environmental risk factors on a five-point scale from “definitely false” to “definitely true.”
- Among all participants, 26.6% believed childhood vaccines probably or definitely increased autism risk, while 23.1% believed the same of acetaminophen use during pregnancy.
- Strong Republicans were 3.83 times more likely than strong Democrats to believe childhood vaccines a risk factor for autism.
- Men were more likely than women and African American or Black participants were more likely than Whites to believe either childhood vaccines or acetaminophen use during pregnancy are risk factors for autism.
- Older age and more frequent use of social media were associated with a lower likelihood of believing that either childhood vaccines or acetaminophen use during pregnancy are risk factors for autism.
What’s More
Genetics as an evidence-based risk factor for autism had the strongest belief among participants at 66.7%. But another evidence-based risk factor—the child being male—was the least-believed at just 16.5%.
The Other Side
The study was cross-sectional and can only identify associations, not establish causation. For example, an association between beliefs and social media use does not confirm that such use prevents or contributes to those beliefs.
Takeaway Message
“The large proportion of the population holding beliefs that may adversely impact public health (e.g., by preventing vaccination) highlights the magnitude of the problem,” the researchers wrote. “The extent to which these beliefs are associated with particular population subgroups also underscores the need for more targeted interventions, rather than using single broad channels to disseminate medical and scientific news.”
Related Information
Source
Roy H. Perlis, et al. Knowledge and misinformation regarding autism risk factors in a survey of U.S. adults. JAMA Health Forum. Published online November 6, 2026. doi:10.1001/jamahealthforum.2026.4105
(Image: Getty Images/iStock/Dusan Stankovic)
