National Center for Health Research - The Voice for Prevention, Treatment, and Policy

 

The National Center for Health Research conducts, analyzes, and explains the latest research and works with patients, consumers, and opinion leaders to use that information to improve their own health and to develop better programs, policies, and services.

  • We conduct research that has the potential to improve health care.
  • We translate research findings into free information and training that can be used to improve health and safety to individuals and communities nationwide. In addition to this website, we have a website dedicated to cancer information at stopcancerfund.org.
  • We work with the media to help get the word out to those who will most benefit from it.
  • We educate policy makers, policy analysts, and opinion leaders through briefings, hearings, meetings, and written materials based on the information.
  • We share our publications and information with other organizations, researchers, and advocates.
  • We coordinate and strategize with them, working together to inform the public and be part of the public debate on policy issues.
  • We use that information effectively to improve the health of adults and children.

Webinars and Presentations

Our free Health Research 101 webinar is available here. It was designed for journalists who want to make sure they understand new health research findings, but it can also help patients and family members get past the hype and know what questions to ask when you hear about research results.

Our free Long COVID webinars are on a range of topics related to disability eligibility and treatment options, based on our work with health professionals, disability experts, and patient advocates. Click here for more information on our project and links to 5 one-hour webinars.

How can we help you?  We frequently make presentations on a wide range of health topics and health policy issues to policy makers, community groups, graduate students, medical students, and nonprofit groups. In 2025, these have included a presentation to Student Physicians for Social Responsibility, Doctors for America, Mid-Atlantic Center for Children’s Health & the Environment, and many others. Interested groups should contact info@center4research.org for more information.

News You Can Use

NCHR Featured Research:

Our commentary, Rethinking “Antimicrobial Resistance”: Focusing on Patients instead of Pathogenic Organisms, was published in 2025 in the Medical Research Archives of the European Society of Medicine. The Op-ed version was published in STAT First Opinion in 2025, and is for general audience: The FDA’s misguided thinking on antibiotics.

NCHR Report:  Breast Implant Illnesses: What’s the Evidence?

Debate swirls over the risks of breast implants, and physicians and patients are justifiably confused by the conflicting information available. Our report finds clear evidence that implants increase the chances of the symptoms known as “breast implant illness” and removing implants usually improves their health.  Women considering breast implants after mastectomy or for cosmetic reasons will want to know about this report and of this Patient Informed Consent  checklist and black box warning.

NCHR Report: The Health Risks of MRIs with Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a common diagnostic procedure that can improve the quality of medical care and save lives. Gadolinium-based contrast agents are used with MRIs to improve diagnostic accuracy, but there are concerns that gadolinium can be harmful even for patients whose kidneys are not impaired.  Read this report to learn more.

NCHR Report:  Is TMS Proven Effective for Depression?

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) devices have stimulated the brains of tens of thousands of patients in the U.S., often as a treatment for depression.  TMS treatment is expensive and is typically 5 days/week for 4 to 6 weeks.  There is no clear evidence that it works at all. This report could save you thousands of dollars.