National Center for Health Research

06/05/2026

Despite opposition from Congressional Democrats, the House of Representatives passed a bill that would cut millions of dollars from (Women, Infants, and Children) program, specifically reducing funding for fresh fruits and vegetables for pregnant women and children.

These cuts could significantly reduce nutritional food benefits for millions of families. At a time when grocery prices are soaring and U.S. taxpayers are spending billions on a war in Iran — and may spend $1.8 billion on a fund benefiting friends of the White House — how can this be justified?

Fresh fruits and vegetables are essential for the health of infants, children, and pregnant women. And it will have an impact on children's health and development in years to come! Will help defeat these destructive priorities in the Senate?

Millions of WIC recipients would have less money for fruits and vegetables under the legislation, which funds the Agriculture Department and other agencies.

06/05/2026

Gen Z is obsessed with despite warnings about .

A new survey found that only 25% of Gen Z adults are concerned about developing skin cancer in their lifetime, and 20% said getting a tan is more important than preventing skin cancer.

Despite knowing the risks of tanning beds and tanning in the sun, Influencers who encourage maximizing tanning thrive on social media. For many young adults, the appeal of looking tan outweighs concerns about long-term health.

A dermatologist noted that tanning beds are "in the same cancer-causing category as asbestos and plutonium," and using them before age 35 increases the risk of by 75%.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, but it is also one of the most preventable. Protect your skin by limiting intense UV exposure, wearing SPF 30+ sunscreen, using protective clothing, and getting regular skin cancer checks.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/25/well/gen-z-sun-tanning-dermatologists.html

Dermatologists are flummoxed.

06/05/2026

We're hiring!

Our new Deputy Director position is now open.

Find the full job description and application instructions here:
https://www.center4research.org/about-us/jobs-fellowships-internships-volunteers/

Learn more about our organization in the About Us section.

Please read the full job description before applying.

06/04/2026

AI replacing your doctors? Just say no.

The same Department of Government Efficiency ( ) that cut funding for NIH research and scientists is now helping pave the way for chatbots to diagnose illnesses, refill prescriptions, and eventually prescribe medications with little or no physician oversight.

The problem? AI systems are not ready to replace medical professionals. In a recent study simulating real-world patient use, medical chatbots correctly identified health conditions only 34% of the time, raising concerns about misdiagnosis and .

AI systems often make up "evidence" that does not exist. When medical decisions are involved, those mistakes can be dangerous and even fatal for patients and costly for your healthcare.

Patients deserve better.These systems have fatal flaws and our government does not have the staff needed to make sure they are accurate before they're allowed to practice medicine.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2026/06/04/inside-trump-backed-push-bring-ai-doctors-into-american-medicine/

06/04/2026

is health safety, but new U.S. policies are quietly and intentionally reversing that progress.

Federal law requires background checks prior to buying guns. Gun dealers can lose their license if they ignore that law or falsify records.

A ProPublica report describes how the Biden Administration’s “zero tolerance” policy made it easier to take away licenses from gun dealers who broke the law, but the Administration reversed that policy and currently allows dealers who lost their licenses to apply again.

is a preventable problem, and enforcing the federal law will reduce , school shootings, and other gun violence.

After Biden clamped down on the flow of illegal guns, Trump has referred fewer ATF trafficking charges for prosecution, eased up on irresponsible gun shops and shifted hundreds of ATF agents to immigration work.

06/03/2026

A dangerous White House proposal (called a "proposed rule") could take federal grant decisions out of the hands of scientific experts and give more power to politically appointed staff.

Currently, scientific experts determine which projects receive all grant funding, including , child abuse prevention, , , and national security.

Under the proposed rule issued on May 28, Administration appointed staff could reject research studies and other grants for virtually any reason. Most government employees are hired based on merit, but "political appointees" are chosen for jobs based on their connections to the White House. These political appointees are not necessarily experienced or knowledgeable about the types of research or programs involved.

This would be disastrous. Decisions about funding scientific and medical research and studies would be based on political connections rather than knowledge and expertise, affecting new treatments and discoveries.

The best way to stop this from happening is for Congress to block the rule.

Intent is to cut DEI, but scientists see a dystopian, anti-science power grab

06/03/2026

“ May Be More Prevalent Than Previously Thought,” reports the New York Times today.

Recent research confirms that relying on Body Mass Index ( ) alone underestimates how many people have obesity. When body fat and obesity-related health problems are taken into account, many people whose BMI was not considered obese would be classified as obese.

Even when BMI does not indicate obesity, excess increases the risk of diabetes, kidney disease, heart attack, cancer, and other serious health problems. Whether you call it a or a fat belly, it isn't just a cosmetic concern.

This is very important information for millions of Americans. We discussed the serious health risks of belly fat on our website months ago:

Belly fat is common among men and women. But if your body shape looks more like an apple than a pear, you are more likely to develop cancer and heart disease.

06/02/2026

Considering trying GLP-1 drugs? Ignore the hype. Here is what you need to know.

While brand name drugs are an effective tool to lose weight, long-term use is key. As soon as you stop, you start to gain the weight back.

The high cost of long-term use treatment and the side effects (nausea, diarrhea, etc), cause most people to stop taking them within the first year. This means people don’t get the benefits of longer-term weight loss, and they certainly don’t lower their risk of heart disease, cancer, or any other weight-related diseases.

But, if you can afford treatment indefinitely and don’t have problems with side effects, GLP-1 drugs can be very helpful. Keep in mind that the long-term risks and benefits are not yet known.

Find out more at

GLP-1 weight loss drugs help you lose weight, but the weight returns when you stop. Research shows the benefits, unpleasant side effects and rare serious risks.

06/01/2026

President says he took a and received a perfect score of 30. What does that mean?

Trump said a doctor told him "nobody gets that". But the test he took — the Montreal Cognitive Assessment ( ) — is not an IQ test. It is designed to identify signs of cognitive impairment from or other health issues.

According to the test manual, a score of 26–30 is considered normal, meaning the person is not cognitively impaired. That's good news, and cognitive screening tests should be required for any president or anyone in a position of power.

But is it outstanding? No. The test includes some simple questions that toddlers can answer (such as identifying pictures of animals) and slightly harder questions, such as drawing a clock, remembering words, and repeating numbers.

Trump told reporters today that he took a cognitive test at Walter Reed.

06/01/2026

school children of all ages were pepper-sprayed, tackled, handcuffed, and even shocked with Tasers for behavior that previously might have been handled in the principal’s office.

After the school shooting, Texas schools hired thousands of officers to improve .

However, a recent investigation found:
• More than 2,600 use-of-force incidents from 2022–2025
• A 6-year-old boy was handcuffed after kicking a school employee
• A suspended 17-year-old boy was repeatedly shocked with a Taser while retrieving his house keys
• A 17-year-old girl faced criminal charges after accidentally dislodging a $13 classroom doorbell

Who is protecting children from these outrageous behaviors of the police that are supposed to protect them?

School shootings need to be stopped, but Texas school police are traumatizing children with their over-the-top tactics. These police are not trained to safely discipline children.

School officers across the state turned to heavy-handed tactics on children, often in response to minor misbehavior, our investigation shows.