National Center for Health Research
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National Center for Health Research
@nc4hr.bsky.social
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Stay informed on health policy and research with the National Center for Health Research (NCHR).

As an independent nonprofit think tank that does NOT accept industry funding, we translate scientific research to info you can use to improve your health and safety.
Learn more: www.center4research.org
The National Center for Health Research
The National Center for Health Research (NCHR) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank focused on research that can improve the health of adults and children. We are a voice you can trust, providing in...
www.center4research.org
That heart monitor belt strapped on almost every woman during labor? Some experts call it the "worst test in medicine".

It scares doctors into performing unnecessary C-sections when the baby is actually fine.
The ‘Worst Test in Medicine’ is Driving America’s High C-Section Rate
www.nytimes.com
November 16, 2025 at 4:55 PM
A new study reveals a tragic U.S. trend: deaths of young adults (ages 18-64) rose 27% from 2012-2022.

The crisis is not evenly distributed. For Black adults, the death rate was 427 per 100,000, compared to 316 for White adults.

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
More people are dying before they turn 65. Who it affects, and what it means.
A new study reveals an increase in premature deaths among 18-to-64-year-olds, with Black adults and certain states disproportionately affected.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:39 PM
FDA Commissioner Makary calls removing the menopause hormone warnings "life-changing, life-saving" and the "best way" to improve women's health.

But NCHR's Dr. Diana Zuckerman said this "sounds like a PR statement, not a scientific one."

www.center4research.org/politico-fda...
Politico Prescription Plus: FDA Removes Black Box HRT Warning - National Center for Health Research
Politico, November 11, 2025: FDA Commissioner Marty Makary announces that FDA seeks eliminating most black box warnings from hormone therapy for menopause and accuses “dogma” that scared women. NCHR D...
www.center4research.org
November 13, 2025 at 9:21 PM
The FDA announcement to remove the black box warnings on menopause hormones is making international news.

Experts said the announcement is "embarrassing" and "ahead of any consensus."

Dr. Adriane Fugh-Berman said this is "not how regulation should happen" and that real risks remain.
AFP: US to remove warnings from menopause hormone therapy - Stop Cancer Fund
AFP says FDA to delete boxed warnings for menopausal hormone therapy. Diana Zuckerman says warnings needed updating but risks are real and benefits are limited.
stopcancerfund.org
November 13, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Experts warn FDA’s decision to remove the black box warning from menopause hormone “sidestepped its usual public process."

NCHR's Dr. Zuckerman said that Commissioner Makary is "undermining the FDA’s credibility."
The FDA removes long-standing warning from hormone-based menopause drugs - Stop Cancer Fund
AP explains FDA to delete boxed warnings for menopausal hormone therapy. Diana Zuckerman says FDA lost credibility changing warnings without scientific review.
stopcancerfund.org
November 12, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Why did FDA say let's remove the black box warning on menopause hormones?

As NCHR's Dr. Zuckerman said, this panel had major conflicts: "virtually all its members would benefit financially from the black box warning being eliminated."
Inside Health Policy: FDA To Proceed With ‘Expert Panels’ Amid HRT Conflict Concerns - National Center for Health Research
Inside Health Policy, November 10, 2025: Inside Health Policy describes controversy about FDA “Expert Panels” and quotes NCHR Diana Zuckerman on why these panels have conflicts of interest and elimina...
www.center4research.org
November 12, 2025 at 9:06 PM
HHS is removing the black box warning on menopause hormones, calling them "life-changing."

But experts, including NCHR's Dr. Diana Zuckerman, tell @gohealio.bsky.social the benefits are being exaggerated.
HHS revises hormone therapy black box warning for menopause treatment
The HHS has announced changes to estrogen hormone therapy black box labeling for menopause treatment in a move that they said corrects misleading warnings.HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a...
www.healio.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:35 PM
The FDA made several outrageous claims about hormone therapy that need to be corrected ASAP.

The facts are that hormone therapy has serious cancer risks for many women and few benefits.

#CancerRisk #HormoneTherapyRisks #FDA #PatientSafety #InformedConsent #WomensHealthAdvocacy
NCHR Comments on Risks and Benefits of Menopause Hormone Therapy - National Center for Health Research
In response to a request for public comments, NCHR tells FDA that hormones for menopause have cancer risks and benefits, depending on when women take them and what type of hormones. Menopausal Hormone...
www.center4research.org
November 11, 2025 at 11:23 PM
A New York Times investigation found indoor gun ranges pose an overlooked hazard: The enclosed booths can double or triple the blast's effects on the brain.

Tests showed some large-caliber rifles exceed the military's safety limit for a single shot.
Target Shooting Could Be Causing Brain Injuries. We Measured the Danger.
The Times tested the blast waves of several popular civilian guns at an indoor range and found that repeated firing could add up to potentially harmful exposure.
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:10 PM
@NYTimes explains the debate regarding the FDA's decision to remove the black box warnings on hormones for menopause.

Despite Dr. Makary's claim, hormones are not a major improvement in women's health since they can cause cancer and stroke.

www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/h...
F.D.A. Will Remove Black Box Warnings From Hormone Treatments for Menopause
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:16 PM
A rare disease researcher says that Pharma's "patient advocacy" tends to be more show than substance.

Millions are spent on "glossy campaigns" that do little to help patients.

#BigPharma #PatientAdvocacy #HealthcareEthics #Healthcare #STAT

www.statnews.com/2025/11/03/b...
The big flaw in Big Pharma's 'patient advocacy'
When Big Pharma ties its corporate social responsibility initiatives to patients' needs, too often it veers into theater.
www.statnews.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:33 PM
A recall has been issued for over 140,000 bottles of the generic version of Lipitor, atorvastatin calcium.

It was made by Alkem Laboratories and distributed by Ascend Laboratories. It doesn't dissolve correctly, so the FDA warns it might not work well.
https://www.cardiovascularbusiness.com/topics/clinical/pharmaceutics/new-drug-recall-includes-more-140k-bottles-popular-statin’
November 7, 2025 at 9:19 PM
A new study finds 97% of U.S. public schools have a cell phone policy, but rules vary widely.

Over 81% of elementary schools ban use during the school day, compared to only 23% of high schools.
Cell Phone Bans in a National Sample of US Public School Principals
This cross-sectional study reports the national prevalence of public-school cell phone bans and how they vary by school characteristics.
jamanetwork.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:43 PM
A new study of US veterans found steroid injections for knee arthritis were no more effective than lidocaine.

Neither treatment resulted in clinically meaningful improvement

Researchers concluded there is "no evidence that corticosteroids are effective in this real-world population."
Steroid Shots for Knee Pain: Another Study Says They're Just Placebo
And not even a very effective one
www.medpagetoday.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:14 PM
A Guardian investigation finds "Big Soda" is fighting RFK Jr's "MAHA” health movement, using #MAGA $$$ to fight #MAHA priorities.

With GOP-tied pollsters & "anti-woke" influencers, they're working to stop new MAHA-inspired rules against food dyes in schools & soda purchases with SNAP benefits.
Inside the Republican network behind big soda’s bid to pit Maga against Maha
A Guardian investigation finds the US soda and snack-food industries, threatened by RFK Jr’s movement to change Americans’ eating habits, have turned to a group of well-connected strategists, shadowy ...
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:10 PM
New VA policy ends presumptive coverage for male breast cancer, which toxic exposures like Agent Orange can cause.

ProPublica reports that newly diagnosed veterans must now prove military service caused breast cancer to get care, due to a misunderstanding about why men can develop breast cancer.
Citing Trump Order on “Biological Truth,” VA Makes It Harder for Male Veterans With Breast Cancer to Get Coverage
A Department of Veterans Affairs memo obtained by ProPublica erects new roadblocks to care for veterans with the rare but deadly cancer. The agency cites no new science but relies on an executive orde...
www.propublica.org
November 4, 2025 at 11:35 PM
🚨This is an updated health alert!🚨

The FDA has again expanded its recall of ground cinnamon, now totaling 16 brands, due to elevated lead levels.

Consumers should check the list of brands and check their pantries, and immediately stop using recalled cinnamon.
Safety Alert
The FDA is advising consumers to throw away and not to buy the ground cinnamon products because samples of products listed in the table were found to contain elevated levels of lead.
www.fda.gov
November 4, 2025 at 9:00 PM
A new NYT report shows vaccine skepticism is spreading to veterinary medicine.

Over 1 in 5 pet owners now question vaccines, with false claims about “pawtism” gaining traction.

Pets can't develop autism but these claims could lead to outbreaks for pets and people.
Vaccine Skepticism Comes for Pet Owners, Too
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:50 PM
A new study finds that message-based psychotherapy using texts, emails, and calls is as effective as a weekly video session for depression.

Patients did just as well, and fewer dropped out.

#MentalHealth #Therapy #DigitalHealth #OnlineTherapy #Telehealth

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41165707/
Message-Based vs Video-Based Psychotherapy for Depression: A Randomized Clinical Trial - PubMed
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04513080.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
November 3, 2025 at 4:24 PM
A new study finds that one long walk is better for your heart than many short walks.

Researchers say walking for at least 15 minutes without stopping is ideal for a heart workout. This benefit was seen even in less active adults who walk fewer than 8,000 steps a day.

www.bbc.com/news/article...
One long walk beats short strolls for a healthy heart, study says
Walking for at least 15 minutes without stopping is ideal, according to new research.
www.bbc.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Experts tell Inside Health Policy why they are concerned about FDA’s new “Commissioner’s National Priority Voucher” program and its fast-track approval standards.

NCHR’s Dr. Diana Zuckerman and #MAHA experts agree that speeding reviews could allow unsafe or ineffective drugs on the market.
Some MAHA Supporters Say CNPV Could Lower FDA Standards - National Center for Health Research
October 23, 2025: Inside Health Policy quotes a MAHA meeting that criticized industry influence over FDA, the impact of user fees, the inappropriate reliance on surrogate endpoints for cancer screenin...
www.center4research.org
October 31, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Feeling stressed?

Experts have evidence that you can "reframe" your reaction to painful experiences.

This involves shifting your perspective in 2 ways: you can reinterpret the stress by finding a silver lining, or you can distance yourself by asking, "Will this matter in 10 years?"
2 things you can do to make experiences less painful, according to experts
Cognitive reappraisal or reframing is a powerful emotional regulation strategy, research shows.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 30, 2025 at 7:22 PM
A new report finds an alarming rise in cancer among young people in the Corn Belt.

It raises urgent questions about whether exposure to agricultural chemicals, like pesticides and herbicides, is causing this increase in cancer.

www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/...
The mysterious rise of cancer among young adults in the Corn Belt
Communities across the Corn Belt are confronting a rise in cancers among young adults — and few clear explanations.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:53 PM
A new study shows an unexpected benefit of COVID vaccines for cancer patients.

Researchers found that advanced lung and skin cancer patients who received a COVID mRNA vaccine while also getting immunotherapy lived nearly twice as long as those who only got immunotherapy.
Study finds mRNA coronavirus vaccines prolonged life of cancer patients
A study found that covid-19 vaccines appeared to awaken the immune system in lung and skin cancer patients, helping them live longer than those not vaccinated.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 29, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Politico reports the FDA may soon revise black box warnings on hormone treatments for menopause.

Dr. Diana Zuckerman says the warnings need nuance since risks differ for pills and creams, and by women’s age and health.

www.politico.com/newsletters/...
FDA ‘serious’ about hormone therapy changes
The FDA could announce as soon as this week a change to the black box warning on estrogen products used to treat menopause symptoms.
www.politico.com
October 29, 2025 at 6:32 PM