January 17, 2017. As a think tank focused on public health, we strongly agree that chemicals should be carefully evaluated before they are sold, as well as afterwards. People who work around new chemicals should be informed of the risks and the appropriate protections. Thorough evaluations of new chemicals by the EPA can reduce the risks of many new chemicals, saving lives and improving the health of people who live and work in the United States.
Read More »On Health Policy
Women’s Low Sexual Interest: NCHR Comment on FDA Guidance
December 23, 2016. There is a need to find treatments for low sexual interest, desire, and/or arousal in women, as those conditions affect women’s quality of life. However, the scientific standards should be solid, and consistent with long-term use, if that is the intent. If a sponsor does not want to conduct a large enough study to carefully evaluate safety and efficacy for all the known subgroups, the FDA should approve the drug only for those subpopulations that have been found to have benefits that outweigh the risks.
Read More »NCHR Testimony at 2016 FDA Workshop on Role of Hospitals in Modernizing Evidence Generation for Device Evaluation
December 5, 2016. Hospitals are expected to play a key role in evidence generation and adverse event reporting for the National Evaluation System for Health Technology. While the collection and analysis of real-world data will be important for post-market surveillance of medical devices, the quality of information being collected and used for decision-making must be focused on making patient safety a priority.
Read More »NCHR’s View of the 21st Century Cures Act
December 5, 2016. Passing a complicated health bill in the rush of a lame-duck session is always problematic. Passing a 996-page bill that was negotiated behind closed doors and includes provisions that were never voted on before represents the kind of legislative sausage that the world’s greatest deliberative body should reject.
Read More »National Center for Health Research’s Public Comment on USPSTF Draft Recommendation Statement and Draft Evidence Review on Obesity in Children and Adolescents: Screening
November 28, 2016. Childhood obesity is a serious problem and intensive behavioral interventions to promote improvements in weight status have benefits for some children and adolescent populations. However, we are concerned that due to limitations in the quality of the research supporting the recommendations, they may not be appropriate for all children and adolescents.
Read More »