November 18, 2019. There is a growing body of evidence of the risks of the chemicals and lead in artificial turf and rubber surface playgrounds. It would not be ethical to intentionally expose children to these play areas, and no independent researchers or government researchers have conducted long-term studies to determine if children with greater exposures are more likely to develop the health problems that are expected, such as obesity, asthma, cognitive damage, early puberty, and eventually cancer.
Read More »We’re Speaking Out on Health Issues
NCHR scientists and health policy experts provide written and oral statements on a wide range of topics.
Here are many of the ways we have been Speaking Out on Health Policy Issues for the last few years. Whether the topic is legislation intended to cure diseases, proposed bans on BPA or other chemicals that disrupt your hormones, the importance of including women, people of color, and patients over 65 in clinical trials, or many other topics, you’ll gain a better understanding of our evidence-based analyses by reading these letters, statements, and testimony.
Here are the ways we have been Speaking out on Medical Treatments and Products, such as prescription drugs and medical devices that the FDA is considering approving, or is considering taking off the market because of serious risks. Whether the topic is Chantix, Addyi, Yaz, Essure, or medical products you’ve never heard of, you can find out more about what is known and not known about the safety and effectiveness of a wide range of products by looking through this section of our website.
Here are our Statements and Positions on issues that affect you.
NCHR Testimony on Vascepa to Reduce Risk for Cardiovascular Events
November 14, 2019. Drugs to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular events save lives. The REDUCE-IT study provides encouraging data that AMR101 [Vascepa (icosapent ethyl) ] may help, but there are some important concerns that must be addressed before approval.
Read More »NCHR’s Comments on the USPSTF’s Recommendation on Screening for Bacterial Vaginosis in Pregnant Persons
November 4, 2019. Given the lack of convincing evidence that screening for bacterial vaginosis leads to a clinical benefit, NCHR supports the USPSTF’s caution in making a recommendation to screen for bacterial vaginosis in pregnant persons to prevent preterm delivery.
Read More »NCHR Testimony on New Contraceptive Patch by Agile Therapeutics
October, 30 2019. The FDA held an Advisory Committee meeting to discuss the safety and effectiveness of a new contraceptive patch by Agile Therapeutics. The Committee voted that the benefits of the patch to prevent pregnancy outweigh the risks.
Read More »NCHR’s Comments on USPSTF’s Draft Recommendation Statement Concerning Interventions for Illicit Drug Use
October 28, 2019. While there is a need to reduce and prevent illicit drug use in children, adolescents and young adults, more research is needed to identify which interventions are most effective to achieve this goal without causing unintended harms. Recommending interventions before the effects are well understood could cause more harm than good.
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