What Does CDC Actually DO?

Many of us understand that recently, CDC has become a political tool.

But its troubles apparently go back quite a bit further.

...You may be aware that autism– a severe developmental disorder that affects children– has been rising at alarming rates.

The CDC is keenly aware of this; in fact they even set up a special division more than 20 years ago to track autism prevalence in the United States.

According to the agency’s data, for example, autism prevalence back in the year 2000 was about 1 in 150 children. By 2008, autism prevalence had increased to 1 in 88 children.

Then, by 2014, prevalence had increased to 1 in 59 children.

And finally, last year they released the most recent data from 2016 (they seem to be four years behind…) showing a prevalence of 1 in 54 children....

 IOW, it nearly tripled in 16 years.  So what does CDC have to say about that?

What is their explanation for this surge in autism among America’s youth?

They say it’s “unclear” and “could be due to a combination of factors”. Yet they don’t bother to list any of those factors or suggest what they might be.

Well, maybe they should study the condition to clear up the "unclear" part, eh?

... the CDC announced earlier this year that they were allocating a whopping $16 million… over a five year period… to autism research.

By comparison, the agency spent more than $100 million on a visitor center, complete with waterfalls and a Japanese garden....

Priorities, you know.  Priorities.