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’s Comments on CPSC’s Proposed Safety Standards for Crib Bumpers/Liners

We strongly urge the CPSC to ban the sale of crib bumpers and liners. The known risks of crib bumpers far outweigh any potential benefits. While these products have not demonstrated any clear benefits, there is evidence that they can cause serious injury, including death.

NCHR’s Comments on USPSTF’s Draft Research Plan for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

June 8, 2020. We support the US Preventive Services Task Force’s efforts to update recommendations based on new scientific evidence.

NCHR’s Comments on USPSTF’s Draft Recommendation Statement Regarding Screening for Hepatitis B Virus Infection

June 1, 2020. We agree with the “B” grade to recommend hepatitis B virus infection screening in nonpregnant adolescents and adults at an increased risk for infection.

NCHR’s Public Comments on United States Preventive Services Task Force’s Draft Research Plan on Screening for Depression, Anxiety, and Suicide Risk in Children and Adolescents

We agree that it is very important to examine whether screening programs for depression, anxiety, and increased risk of suicide accurately identify children and adolescents with those conditions, as well as whether screening leads to improved health outcomes among children and adolescents. We agree that it is equally important to assess the potential harms of screening and treatment. There are, however, three points that we suggest should be re-examined in the draft research plan.

NCHR’s Comments on USPSTF’s Draft Recommendation Statement Regarding Screening for High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents

We agree that screening should not be recommended without sufficient evidence that it helps prevent negative health outcomes.