May 16, 2022. The currently available evidence on hormone therapy is very clear: Whether combination therapies of estrogen and progestin or treatments with estrogen alone, the risks by far outweigh the limited benefits for postmenopausal women. We thus strongly support USPSTF’s “D” grade recommendation against the use of combined estrogen and progestin for the primary prevention of chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, types of cancer, and osteoporotic fractures in postmenopausal persons, as well as the “D” grade recommendation against the use of estrogen alone in postmenopausal persons who have had a hysterectomy.
Read More »On Health Policy
NCHR Comments on EPA truck pollution standards
May 16, 2022. NCHR agrees with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the proposed truck pollution standards, which would reduce emissions of smog- and soot-forming nitrogen oxides, are a crucial step towards EPA’s commitment to climate, clean air and environmental justice. However, in light of the ongoing health and climate crisis, the proposed standards fall short of a zero-emission transportation future, and we urge EPA to further strengthen the proposed standards. This has also long been requested by environmental justice communities across the country, because while truck pollution has been devastating the health of communities across the country, it has a disproportionate impact on communities of color.
Read More »NCHR Comments on Screening for Depression and Suicide Risk in Children and Adolescents
May 9, 2022. The currently available evidence on the accuracy of screening tools as well as the potential benefits and harms associated with screening and treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) and suicide risk are insufficient. For this reason, we agree with the USPSTF “I” grade recommendation for MDD screening in asymptomatic children age 11 years or younger and the “I” grade recommendation for screening for suicide risk in asymptomatic children and adolescents of all ages.
Read More »NCHR Comments on Screening for Anxiety in Children and Adolescents
May 9, 2022. We agree with USPSTF’s “I” grade recommendation regarding anxiety screening for children 7 years or younger, since there is not sufficient evidence on the benefits and harms of screening for this age group, or to determine the impact of treatments for anxiety in children in this age group. However, regarding screening for anxiety in asymptomatic children between the ages of 8 and 18, we do not agree with USPSTF’s “B” grade recommendation, because of the lack of direct evidence to support USPSTF’s recommendation.
Read More »Nonprofit Consumer and Public Health Organization’s Letter To FDA Regarding Transparency Of The MDUFA V Reauthorization Process
March 4, 2022: We write today to follow up on your response to several requests for information at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) Medical Device User Fee Amendments (MDUFA V) stakeholders meeting on February 28, 2022.
Read More »