February 8, 2018. It is essential that the State of Maryland stop paying for artificial turf fields and playgrounds that can clearly exacerbate our children’s existing health problems and cause new health problems. Let’s instead invest in safe, natural playing fields, unless any artificial alternatives are proven to be safer, more effective, and as cost-effective as grass.
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 Testimony to House Appropriations Committee Regarding Playground and Athletic Field Surfaces
February 8, 2018. Companies that make and install synthetic turf on these types of surfaces maintain that it is proven safe and cost-effective compared to grass. However, these materials are not required by any federal government agency to be proven safe. These surfaces can expose children to harmful chemicals and can put children at risk of injury. We appreciate the Committee’s close attention and legislative oversight of this important safety issue for our state’s children and their schools.
Read More »NCHR and WomenHeart Comments on USPSTF Draft Recommendation Statement Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Screening with Electrocardiography (ECG)
Jan 22, 2018, We commend the USPSTF for reviewing the evidence and developing evidence-based recommendations. There is substantial evidence to recommend against screening in low risk adults and is insufficient to support screening in higher risk adults.
Read More »NCHR Testimony at the FDA about Antibiotic for Inhalation, Cipro DI
January 11, 2018. It is important that any drugs should clearly demonstrate efficacy and a good long-term safety profile before they are approved. Cipro DI has clearly not yet met that standard.
Read More »NCHR Testifies Against Oral Testosterone Drug
January 10, 2018. Testosterone replacement therapy can substantially benefit patients with hypogonadism. While we recognize that oral administration is preferable to more inconvenient routes of administration, we cannot disregard concerns about this drug’s potential harms. This drug was not studied for a long enough time to know if the benefits outweigh the risks, and off-label use makes it even more likely that the risks will often outweigh the benefits.
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