I am 56 years old and have struggled with prediabetes for years. I have seen what it can do to family members, so I tried to limit carbs and simple sugars and eat what I thought was healthy. This past May, I was needing clearance from my primary care provider for a microscopic knee surgery.

The rates of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have risen to epidemic levels. In 1981, it was 1 in 10,000. In 2000, it was 1 in 150, and our most recent estimate is 1 in 68. If the current rate of increase continues, half of all children will be considered to have an ASD by the year 2050. A debate has ensued regarding whether the incidence of autism spectrum disorders is falsely elevated because of changes in the way we diagnose these children, or whether there is some environmental factor that is causing an actual real rise in new cases.