January 22, 2026 NCHR Comment to FDA: Dr. Akashleena Mallek told FDA we disagree that ZYN nicotine pouches are less dangerous than smoking. ZYN has never been tested in long-term studies to determine its impact on cancer, heart disease, and other serious diseases. It is especially harmful because it is marketed to children and teen non-smokers, creating an epidemic of nicotine addiction similar to the vaping epidemic among children a few years ago.
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.
NCHR Written Comment to FDA on Modified Risk Tobacco Product (MRTP) Applications for ZYN Nicotine Pouch Products
January 21, 2026 NCHR Written Comment to FDA: ZYN says it is good for public health because it is less harmful than smoking. We disagree. It has never been tested in long-term studies to determine its impact on cancer, heart disease, and other serious diseases. It is very harmful because it is marketed to children and teen non-smokers, creating an epidemic of nicotine addiction similar to the vaping epidemic among children a few years ago.
Read More »NCHR Comments on The National Coverage Analysis for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)
January 14, 2026: NCHR comment to CMS explains TAVR doesn’t provide meaningful benefits to asymptomatic patients because patients in the EARLY TAVR study did not live longer or avoid disabling strokes and it did not evaluate typical Medicare patients or typical treatment or safeguards available to TAVR patients.
Read More »NCHR Letter to Montgomery County About the Dangers of Artificial Turf
December 8, 2025: NCHR letter from constituent Diana Zuckerman to Montgomery County Maryland Executive and Council explains the many ways that artificial turf is dangerous for our children and our community. Well-maintained natural grass is better, less expensive, and ADA-compliant.
Read More »Testimony of Dr. Diana Zuckerman at the FDA Circulatory System Devices Advisory Panel Meeting on V-Wave Ventura Shunt
December 3, 2025: Diana Zuckerman urges FDA Advisory Devices Panel to require more research on Ventura shunt to make sure it is more effective than sham control placebo group. She points out the well-designed study did not meet primary endpoint to improve cardiac results for patients.
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