Study Finds Trump's Autism Claims Impacted Medical Care

Researchers observe drop in Tylenol orders, rise in unproven autism drug prescriptions after White House briefing.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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A new study published in The Lancet found that after President Donald Trump promoted unproven ties between the fever reducer Tylenol and autism, and touted an old generic drug as a treatment, Tylenol orders for pregnant women dropped by 10% and prescriptions of the generic drug for children rose by 71% in the following months. Doctors say this shows how political messaging can impact medical care, even when it goes against expert consensus.

Why it matters

The research highlights how the politicization of medical issues and the spread of misinformation from political leaders can directly influence patient behavior and prescribing practices, even when the claims are unsubstantiated. This raises concerns about the potential public health impacts when political rhetoric overrides scientific evidence.

The details

The study, conducted by researchers at Brown University, looked at changes in drug ordering and prescribing compared to projected trends in the months after Trump's White House briefing. They found a 10% drop in Tylenol orders for pregnant emergency department patients and a 71% increase in outpatient prescriptions of the generic drug leucovorin for children. Leucovorin has been studied for use in some autism cases, but medical groups do not recommend its routine use. Doctors say some families in their practices asked about getting leucovorin for their autistic children after the federal announcement, despite the limited evidence.

  • The study period was from late September to early December, following Trump's briefing.
  • The Lancet published the research on March 5, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who promoted unproven ties between Tylenol and autism, and touted an old generic drug as a treatment.

Dr. Susan Sirota

A pediatrician in Highland Park, Illinois who said it has been challenging to deal with the repercussions of government pronouncements on medical issues.

Dr. Michael Barnett

A co-author of the study from the Brown University School of Public Health who said past administrations had more layers of approval and expert consensus before making big announcements about medical topics.

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What they’re saying

“It just shows that in our country right now, health care has been politicized in a way that political messages are driving and impacting care — and not always for good.”

— Dr. Susan Sirota, Pediatrician

“It feels like a pattern with our government, right? They keep building on these houses of cards that just fall down. This politicizing of medicine just in general, and moving away from science, has been so challenging.”

— Dr. Susan Sirota, Pediatrician

“In past administrations, 'there are lots of layers of approval and expert consensus' before officials make big announcements about medical topics.”

— Dr. Michael Barnett, Researcher, Brown University School of Public Health

The takeaway

This case highlights the dangers of political leaders making unsubstantiated medical claims that can directly impact patient behavior and prescribing practices, undermining evidence-based care. It underscores the need for a return to relying on scientific consensus and expert input when communicating about public health issues.