EPA tightens rules on some air pollution

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced stricter regulations on one of the most harmful forms of air pollution: soot, also known as fine particulate matter or PM 2.5. These minuscule particles, about 30 times smaller than the width of a human hair, pose significant health risks, including severe and sometimes fatal asthma and heart attacks. The EPA has reduced the permissible annual average concentration from 12 to 9 micrograms per cubic meter, which is 25% lower and the first reduction since 2012.  This is expected to prevent approximately 4,500 deaths a year by 2032. EPA will give states several years to comply. Read more here.

Plastic bag bans work

Bans on single-use plastic bags have proven to reduce their use significantly and the litter and pollution they cause, according to a 2024 report by the Environment Oregon Research & Policy Center and CALPIRG Education Fund. They found that such bans in two states and 3 cities (New Jersey, Vermont, Philadelphia, Portland, Oregon, and Santa Barbara, California) have resulted in about 6 billion fewer single-use plastic bags annually. That’s enough bags to circle the Earth 42 times!  Unlike policies that charge 5 cents each for plastic bags, these are actual bans that require customers to bring their own bags or in some cases, the store will provide a paper bag. These bans reduce plastic pollution thanks to eliminating approximately 300 single-use plastic bags per person each year. Find out more here.

BRCA gene testing and improving genetic counseling

We made recommendations to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) regarding testing and genetic counseling for BRCA cancers, in response to their request for comments. BRCA gene mutations increase the chances of men and women developing breast cancer and women developing ovarian cancer. We generally supported the Task Force plans but strongly urged them to also evaluate how to best communicate with patients who are considering testing or who are receiving their test results. We explained that "In our interviews with patients, we have found that when information is given about the lifetime risks of breast and ovarian cancer for women with BRCA-1/BRCA-2 genetic mutations, most women become frightened. However, they are relatively reassured when they are also given information about the risks of breast and ovarian cancer in the short term, such as within the next 5 to 10 years. Since the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer is much lower in the short term, women are less frightened and less likely to feel that they must urgently undergo surgery that will have major implications on their quality of life or life plans, such as the ability to bear children."

We also emphasized that any statistics on risks or risk reduction for surgery or other treatments should include the benefit to the specific patient. For example, if a patient with a BRCA mutation has a 10% risk of developing breast cancer during the next 5 years instead of 5% for other women, she should be told there is a 5% difference, rather than being told her risk is "twice as high.” Read more here.

NCHR president provides testimony to the Maryland House of Delegates in February

Maryland House Bill 457 would require any new installations of artificial turf to provide a "chain of custody" that indicates where the artificial turf was installed, when it was removed, and where it went after it was removed (to a landfill, recycling plant, etc.) NCHR President Dr. Diana Zuckerman submitted written testimony as a Maryland resident and on behalf of NCHR. She explains "This bill is the first step to make sure that the carcinogenic materials used in artificial turf are not getting into our water supply, where they can endanger entire communities. Of course, we are also concerned about the children and adults that play on these fields, but we have been unable to convince Maryland legislators to restrict their use." You can read her testimony here.

She also provided written testimony on House Bill 1147, which more directly protects children.  The bill bans the use of any playground surfaces that contain PFAS, lead, and other toxic materials. She explains that "Many playgrounds in Maryland and across the country are covered in colorful rubber surfaces that are very attractive but contain chemicals that can contribute to obesity, early puberty, attention problems in childhood, and cancer as these children get older." Read more here.

FDA rescinds accelerated approval rule for a dangerous cancer drug



Why did it take so long for the FDA to rescind the accelerated approval of Pepaxto, a multiple myeloma drug?

Dr. Zuckerman told Inside Health Policy why reversing approval should have been a no-brainer since Pepaxto patients were dying earlier and the company took the drug off the market less than a year after it was approved. Despite evidence of harm, the FDA's new “streamlined” process of rescinding approval takes too long. Meanwhile, “patients are prescribed expensive drugs and biologics that are not proven to be safe and effective.” This has implications for other controversial drugs; for example, the Patient, Consumer, and Public Health Coalition expressed their concerns to the FDA about Sarepta’s Elevidys for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.  Read the article here.

In a published article for health reporters, Dr. Zuckerman was asked to advise health journalists how to get past the hype in stories that exaggerate the benefits of new drugs, especially those receiving accelerated approval. She explained that reporters can play a crucial role by asking tough questions about the evidence that the FDA relies on when it approves a new drug, especially when there is only one study that doesn’t measure the results that most matter to patients (such as living longer or having a better quality of life). Read that article here.

Inflation Reduction Act caps drug costs for Medicare patients

Thanks to the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, no Medicare patients will have to pay more than $3,500 for all their medications, regardless of how expensive they are. Unless the law is changed, the maximum will go down to $2,000 next year. This will provide substantial relief for hundreds of thousands of patients. The law also enables Medicare to negotiate drug prices (as insurance companies do), rather than having to pay whatever pharmaceutical companies demand. Despite legal and lobbying challenges from drugmakers, this policy is expected to mark a pivotal shift in drug pricing, leading to significant savings for both patients and the federal government. Read more here.

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