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 Public Comment to Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care, and Services

National Center for Health Research Written Public Comment to Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care, and Services Regarding Plans for Updating the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease for 2026-2035. February 11, 2026 The National Center for Health Research appreciates the opportunity to share our views on ways that the U.S. Department of Health and […]

NCHR Written Comment to FDA on Testosterone Replacement Therapy for Men

February 9, 2026 NCHR Written Comment to FDA: Testosterone hormone therapy (TRT) for men is widely promoted to men as a treatment for fatigue, weight gain, mood changes, and declining vitality. However, evidence from well-designed clinical trials shows limited benefits and raises important safety concerns. Testosterone is not a proven treatment for normal aging, and long-term risks remain insufficiently studied. Larger, long-term research is needed before FDA makes decisions about changing indication, labeling and warnings, because rigorous scientific evidence is more important than marketing claims or anecdotal experience. This is also true regarding testosterone for women.

Testimony of Dr. Akashleena Mallick at the FDA TPSAC Meeting on ZYN Nicotine Pouch Products Submitted by Swedish Match U.S.A, Inc.

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.

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.

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.