Health Misinformation
Tylenol unsafe for pregnant women

​When seeking accurate health information, I turn first to reputable and evidence-based organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These organizations are globally recognized for providing trustworthy, scientifically validated information. The WHO’s Guidelines Review Committee ensures that recommendations are based on systematic reviews and rigorous evidence assessment to meet international standards (WHO, 2025). Similarly, the CDC develops and publishes public health guidelines that are supported by internal review and expert consensus to ensure consistency, accuracy, and credibility (Carande-Kulis, 2022). Because of their transparent review processes and reliance on high-quality research, both organizations are considered gold standards for reliable health information.

An example of health misinformation is the recent claim by former U.S. President Donald Trump that taking acetaminophen (Tylenol or paracetamol) during pregnancy increases the risk of autism in children. In a 2025 press conference, Trump asserted that “Tylenol is not good” and linked its use in pregnancy to autism, citing supposed recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (Lang, 2025). However, the BMJ fact-check article clarifies that no credible scientific evidence supports this statement. Large-scale studies and expert reviews have consistently shown that acetaminophen is safe when used as directed and that there is no causal link between its use during pregnancy and autism (Lang, 2025). Health Canada (2025) continues to recommend acetaminophen as a safe treatment for fever and pain during pregnancy, emphasizing that untreated pain or fever can pose serious health risks to both mother and fetus. Likewise, the IWK Health Centre (2025) has issued a statement confirming there is no proven causal association and warning that misinformation may lead pregnant individuals to avoid safe pain relief unnecessarily.

From an evidence-based standpoint, Trump’s claims are incongruent with current scientific literature and global health guidance. The spread of such misinformation poses significant public health threats: it can cause unnecessary fear, discourage safe medication use, and undermine trust in credible medical institutions. Pregnant people who avoid acetaminophen because of misinformation may experience untreated pain or fever, conditions that can have adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. Furthermore, misinformation from high-profile figures can perpetuate stigma toward families affected by autism and divert attention from genuine research efforts. This example underscores the importance of critically evaluating health claims and relying on reputable, evidence-based sources such as the WHO, CDC, Health Canada, and peer-reviewed medical journals to guide personal and public health decisions.

Kelsey

References

Carande-Kulis, V. G., Elder, R.W., & Matson-Koffman, D. (2022). Evidence-based Public Health: The Role of Guidelines in Public Health Practice. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35025853/  

Health Canada. (2025, February 20). Acetaminophen: Recommended Treatment For Fever and Pain During Pregnancy. Government of Canada. https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/acetaminophen-recommended-treatment-fever-and-pain-during-pregnancy

IWK Health Centre. (2025, February 21). IWK Statement on Tylenol Safety in Pregnancy. https://iwkhealth.ca/news-and-stories/iwk-statement-tylenol-safety-pregnancy

Lang, K. (2025, September 25). Fact Check: Trump’s Claims on Tylenol (Paracetamol), Vaccines, and Autism—What’s the Truth? BMJ, 390, r2025. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.r2025

World Health Organization. (2025). Guidelines Review Committee. https://www.who.int/groups/guidelines-review-committee