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 »Medical Care for Adults
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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 »FDA Went Against Adcomm Votes More, Held Fewer Meetings in 2025
Biospace, January 6, 2026: There were fewer FDA Advisory Committee meetings in 2025 and FDA ignored their advice much more often than usual. NCHR’s Diana Zuckerman pointed out that biased “expert panels” are used instead.
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