Our Research & Training

We conduct research on the safety and effectiveness of medical products such as Alzheimer’s drugs, cancer drugs, and medical implants and devices used for a wide range of health problems, such as heart disease and joint replacement. In addition to the free information on this website and on www.stopcancerfund.org, we also publish articles in major medical journals and health policy journals.

These are the summaries of studies we’ve done, and here are the articles we’ve published in medical journals and health policy journals in the last few years.

Are you a reporter or medical writer interested in our free Health Research Training Workshop? Learn more here.

Software-Related Recalls of Health Information Technology and Other Medical Devices: Implications for FDA Regulation of Digital Health

The innovation of medical IT has the potential to save lives, but even a small “glitch” can harm patients. Our study found hundreds of recalls of flawed devices that affected millions of patients. Examples include electronic medical records that provide info about the wrong patient and “physician support” devices that miscalculate the dosage of medication. But the FDA is set to deregulate these devices.

Study Explains Why So Many Cancer Drugs Don’t Work

JAMA Internal Medicine, November 29, 2016. Why do some drugs stop cancer from growing within a few months and even make it begin to shrink, but ultimately don’t seem to help the patient live longer?

A Major Shortcoming in the Public Health Legacy of the Obama Administration

American Journal of Public Health, December 16, 2016. The Obama Administration has been a strong voice for many public health issues, including tobacco control, childhood obesity, and reproductive health. The Affordable Care Act is also a major accomplishment. But, under the same administration, the FDA caved into political pressure by approving medical products based on lower standards of scientific evidence. What will happen going forward?

Screening for Lung Cancer: To Be or Not to Be Covered By Medicare?

Journal of Thoracic Imaging, January 2015. Advocates urge Medicare to cover the cost of screening, but the MEDCAC expresses their lack of confidence that the benefits would outweigh the risks.

More Data are Needed for Essure Hysteroscopic Sterilization Device

Between 2002, when Essure was approved by the FDA, and December 2014, approximately 1500 reports of adverse reactions were reported to the FDA, including pregnancy, hemorrhage, pelvic pain, and menstrual irregularities.