March 19, 2018. We support the USPSTF draft recommendation for behavior-based interventions for weight loss to prevent obesity-related health problems and death. We further support USPSTF’s efforts to improve the health of all Americans by making evidence-based recommendations about clinical preventive services. As more information becomes available, we encourage the re-evaluation and potential development of additional recommendation to improve the health of individuals with weight-related health concerns.
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.
Statement on Failure of “Right to Try” Bill
March 13, 2018. We thank Congress for rejecting the dangerous and misnamed “Right to Try” bill yesterday. The bill would harm more patients than it would help.
Read More »NCHR Testimony at the FDA on an Oral Drug for Ulcerative Colitis
March 8, 2018. We are concerned that the clinical trial data do not adequately represent the real-world population of patients who will be likely to consider this drug. We strongly recommend more persuasive data including a more diverse group of patients before making a decision about supplemental approval of the two proposed dosing regimens for induction non-responders and those with prior TNF blocker failure.
Read More »NCHR Letter to Maryland on State Funding for Artificial Turf and Playgrounds
March 5, 2018. The State of Maryland has many spending priorities and should not be spending millions of dollars for artificial turf fields and playgrounds that can exacerbate our children’s health problems now, and potentially cause them to develop cancer in the years to come. Let’s instead invest in safe, natural playing fields, unless any synthetic alternatives are proven in unbiased research to be as safe and as cost-effective as grass for fields and engineered wood fiber for playgrounds.
Read More »NCHR Comments to USPSTF on Syphilis Screening During Pregnancy
March 5, 2018. The prevention of congenital syphilis and other negative fetal outcomes outweighs the risks of false results or unnecessary treatment with penicillin, especially when screening occurs early in the pregnancy. Overall, we agree with the USPSTF draft recommendation for syphilis screening in pregnant women.
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