Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia affect millions of older adults. There is no cure, but several very large, well-designed studies suggest that the shingles vaccine may help prevent or delay these brain conditions. The studies all found that older adults who received a shingles vaccine were less likely to develop dementia or developed it later than those who were not vaccinated. Earlier research focused mostly on Zostavax, the older shingles vaccine, while newer studies have looked at Shingrix, the only shingles vaccine currently available in the U.S. Shingrix is recommended to prevent shingles for adults age 50 and older, but we think it may be as effective as and safer than expensive treatments like Leqembi or Kisunla for helping prevent or delay dementia.
Read More »Medical Care for Adults
The National Center for Health Research reviews important new research as soon as it is published. We cut through the hype regarding various medical treatments to let you know what is proven and what is unknown about the risks and benefits of various treatment options. We do not accept funding from the companies that make medical products, so you can trust that our information is based on science, and not biased by financial ties to the treatments we’re evaluating.
To find the information you need, please use our search box to search for exactly what you are looking for or browse through our various topics on the right. →
Some of these articles were written this year and others were not, however, if they are on our website it means the information is up-to-date. We always scrutinize new research and call the researchers to learn even more. Then we translate it into plain language that everyone can understand.
If you’re looking for more detailed information about cancer, please go to our Cancer Prevention and Treatment website.
If you don’t see what you are looking for on any health topic, please contact us and we will try to get the information you need within a few days.
Confused About Red Meat? Why the Evidence Is Not as Simple as the Guidelines
The 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines encourage Americans to eat more red meat, but studies of millions of adults tell the opposite story. Adults who regularly eat processed or ultraprocessed meats such as bacon, sausage, and deli meats — even in small amounts –are more likely to develop heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and several cancers. Adults who often eat unprocessed meats, such as steak and hamburgers, are also more likely to develop those diseases than those who eat little or no red meat, but less likely than those who eat ultraprocessed red meat. A Mediterranean-style diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats offers a better path to a longer, healthier life.
Read More »NCHR Written Comment to FDA on In-Home Disposal Systems for Opioid Analgesics
April 6, 2026: In response to the FDA’s request for written comments, NCHR said that in-home opioid disposal systems alone will not meaningfully reduce misuse or diversion. The biggest issue is that too many pills are prescribed for new users after surgery or accidents, and are kept instead of disposed of. NCHR urged the FDA to focus on practical solutions such as reducing initial prescription sizes, evaluating efficacy of disposal in the real world, simplifying patient instructions, focusing on disposal systems for larger numbers of pills, and expanding proven take-back programs. Without these changes, disposal systems may add cost and complexity without improving patient safety or public health.
Read More »NCHR Written Comment on Exempting AI and Computer-Assisted Medical Devices from FDA Regulation and Safeguards
February 27, 2026: In response to a request for written comments, NCHR told the FDA why we oppose exemptions from 510(k) premarket review for computer-aided radiology devices. NCHR warns that these tools can influence diagnosis and triage decisions and should undergo rigorous evaluation to ensure safety, effectiveness, and equitable performance in real-world clinical settings.
Read More »NCHR Written Public Comment to Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care, and Services
NCHR Written Comment to HHS Alzheimer’s Advisory Council, Feb 11, 2026: NCHR urges HHS Alzheimer’s Advisory Council to urge HHS to improve analysis and public access to registry data on Leqembi and Kisunla. study the risks of Rexulti for dementia patients, and better restrict the unsafe and inappropriate use of atypical antipsychotics for dementia patients.
Read More »