Jordan King is a Newsweek reporter, currently reporting from London in the U.K. Today, he’s tackling big issues such as religion, health care, food security, and the future of human populations. Since coming to Newsweek in 2024, King has moved rather aggressively to set the tone for public health conversation. He is particularly interested in the contentious public conversations around autism and environmental chemicals. His investigative reporting forced Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to retract his dangerous and inflammatory remarks about our autism epidemic.
King’s extensive experience with international human-interest stories. He had a previous life at The Evening Standard and Metro.co.uk which really sharpened his weapons on this front. His art calls attention to the continual persecution of faiths, especially in the Global South. It addresses one of the world’s greatest challenges—the current and impending global fertility and birth rate crisis. His experience includes reporting on multiple disease outbreaks in the U.S., making him well-versed in health-related issues that impact diverse populations.
Reporting on Autism and Environmental Toxins
King’s recent reports have shed light on Kennedy’s claims that environmental toxins, rather than genetics, are driving the rising rates of autism. Kennedy has referred to the current autism epidemic as unprecedented. In it, he decries what he calls an even more dangerous threat to the nation than COVID-19.
“The autism epidemic has now reached a scale unprecedented in human history because it affects the young. The risks and costs of this crisis are a thousand times more threatening to our country than COVID-19. Autism is preventable and it is unforgivable that we have not yet identified the underlying causes. We should have had these answers 20 years ago.” – Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Kennedy’s claims should fuel vigorous debates within the medical establishment. Here, genetic causes have been front and center in discussions about autism for decades. King’s reporting tries to go a few layers deeper on these accusations. Further, it will fact-check Kennedy’s claims that a variety of environmental factors are causing this epidemic.
Investigating Future Research Timelines
As Kennedy articulated just recently, we’re not calling for less research, we’re calling for more. He thinks this is critical to getting a definitive answer about the causes of autism. He proposed it might take another half a year to collect more solid data to back up his assertions.
“To get the most solid information, it’ll probably take us another six months,” – Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
He has talked about his plans to replicate studies already conducted that he deems credible, a sign of a methodical approach to his investigations.
“As I said, we’re gonna replicate some of the studies that have already been done that look like sound studies,” – Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
A cloud of uncertainty still lingers as to when we’ll get clear, final answers from this continued research. When questioned about the timeline for definitive findings, Kennedy responded that it hinges on the outcomes of these reputable studies.
“It depends what those reputable studies show,” – Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The Importance of Reliable Information
And as King persists in his journalism at Newsweek, he’s not done busting the moralistic narratives we’ve been handed about a lot of aspects of public health. Yet his attention to health concerns runs deep. His fierce independence motivates him to deliver the most accessible and trustworthy data that helps educate the public and influence the decision-makers.
Autism is at the very top of the list of health concerns among parents and health professionals. WNYC’s King reporting is a vital part of making sure we have the smartest discussion about this urgent topic. He is committed to digging into the implications of Kennedy’s claims. This commitment will go a long way towards providing a more even-handed treatment of public health issues.
