• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • Skype
  • Take Action
  • Partner With Us
  • DONATE
National Consumers League
  • About NCL
    • About Us
    • Our Programs
    • Leadership
    • History
    • Trumpeter Awards
    • Legal Work
    • Careers
    • NLC Policies
    • Take Action
  • Our Work
    • Consumer Education
    • Consumer Protection
    • Food & Nutrition
    • Fraud Prevention
    • Health
    • Workers Rights
  • Thought Leadership
  • Publications
    • Annual Report
    • Bulletin
    • Top Ten Scams of 2024
    • Tribute Book 125 Years
  • Newsroom
    • News & Highlights
    • Press Releases
    • Podcast
    • NCL in the News
    • Keeping Up With Sally & Staff
    • Media Contacts
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
  • DONATE
  • About NCL
    • About Us
    • Our Programs
    • Leadership
    • History
    • Trumpeter Awards
    • Legal Work
    • Careers
    • NCL Policies
  • Our Work
    • Consumer Education
    • Consumer Protection
    • Food & Nutrition
    • Fraud Prevention
    • Health
    • Workers Rights
  • Thought Leadership
  • Publications
    • Annual Report
    • Bulletin
    • Top Ten Scams of 2024
    • Tribute Book 125 Years
  • Newsroom
    • News & Highlights
    • Press Releases
    • Podcast
    • NCL in the News
    • Keeping Up With Sally & Staff
    • Media Contacts
  • Contact
  • Take Action
  • Partner With Us

Consumer Education

A head-spinning marketplace

The consumer marketplace has become global, accessible across an array of new devices, and increasingly complicated for each new generation. Today’s young adults face an array of choices that previous generations couldn’t have even imagined.

How we help

NCL offers numerous resources for consumers to help navigate the marketplace, across many facets of our issue areas. Our LifeSmarts program is a free, national consumer literacy competition and scholarship opportunity that gives youth the skills needed to become consumer-savvy adults.

Featured Content

America’s second obesity crisis is an infodemic of disinformation about GLP-1 weight loss drugs

May 1, 2025
May 1, 2025: Washington, DC – With mounting evidence that an infodemic of disinformation about GLP-1 weight loss medicines has become America’s second obesity crisis, the National Consumers League (NCL) – a leading non-profit fighting fraud in the marketplace – today released a white paper as a blueprint for policy changes to combat the flood of false information circulating online about GLP-1 products and launched an ambitious national anti-disinformation effort called the Weight Truth with the online hub, www.weight-truth.org, to drive action.
Read more
https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/The-Weight-Truth-Banner-17.png 1036 2048 Lisa McDonald https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/NCL-logo.png Lisa McDonald2025-05-01 07:00:042025-05-07 23:40:43America’s second obesity crisis is an infodemic of disinformation about GLP-1 weight loss drugs

Wisconsin High School team wins the 2025 Varsity LifeSmarts National Championship  

April 27, 2025
April 27, 2025: Washington, DC – Today, Wisconsin's Pewaukee High School students were crowned the 2025 Varsity LifeSmarts National Champions in Chicago, Illinois. Coached by Shawn Prell, the winning team consisted of Logan Nguyen, Max Smith, Ben Varner, Texas Maki, and Landon Pungarcher.
Read more
https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Winner.png 1068 1600 Lisa McDonald https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/NCL-logo.png Lisa McDonald2025-04-27 18:02:492025-05-07 21:12:33Wisconsin High School team wins the 2025 Varsity LifeSmarts National Championship  

LifeSmarts National Championship Coming to Chicago April 24 through 27

April 23, 2025
April 23, 2025: Chicago, IL – The 2025 LifeSmarts National Championship will be held in Chicago from April 24-27. Located at the Chicago Marriott Downtown, Magnificent Mile, the competition will feature 46 state teams vying for the national title. LifeSmarts, a program of the National Consumers League, continues to provide students with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate today's complex, global marketplace.  
Read more
https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/OIP.jpg 316 474 Lisa McDonald https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/NCL-logo.png Lisa McDonald2025-04-23 13:47:032025-05-07 23:31:44LifeSmarts National Championship Coming to Chicago April 24 through 27

NCL opposes effort to shutter ED and defund education 

March 12, 2025
March 12, 2025: Last night, the Trump Administration began firing almost half of the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) staff and kicked employees out of the DC office. President Trump and Education Secretary McMahon have made clear that this is only the beginning of their efforts to shut down ED entirely. With these most recent firings, ED is down to approximately 2,000 employees to handle a massive portfolio that includes administering billions of dollars in funding for rural and low-income public schools across the nation.
Read more
https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Social-Media-Images-18.png 788 940 Lisa McDonald https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/NCL-logo.png Lisa McDonald2025-03-12 19:31:412025-05-07 23:50:20NCL opposes effort to shutter ED and defund education 

The power of polling: how data shapes campaigns and elections

February 6, 2025
February 6, 2025: On this episode of NCL’s “We Can Do this” podcast, National Consumers League CEO Sally Greenberg speaks with Democratic pollster Anna Greenberg, PhD, a senior partner at the polling firm GQR. Sally and Anna discuss polling techniques and polling results leading up to the election of President Donald Trump in 2024.
Read more
https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/iStock-1283508269.jpg 1414 2121 sepidehk https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/NCL-logo.png sepidehk2025-02-06 14:35:432025-05-07 23:54:51The power of polling: how data shapes campaigns and elections

NCL urges timely action to require standardized alcohol content, nutrition and allergen labeling on beer, wine, and distilled spirits products

January 17, 2025
January 17, 2025: Washington, DC – Having pressed the Treasury Department’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) for over two decades to require alcohol labeling on beer, wine, and distilled spirits products, the National Consumers League today called for an expedited process to finalize and implement a new TTB rulemaking that will give consumers the same important facts about the content of an alcoholic beverage that is now is readily available on all other beverages, food products, and dietary supplements.
Read more
https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GhgzTGEWYAA2x2u.jpg 570 680 Lisa McDonald https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/NCL-logo.png Lisa McDonald2025-01-17 14:48:322025-05-07 23:57:41NCL urges timely action to require standardized alcohol content, nutrition and allergen labeling on beer, wine, and distilled spirits products

Making consumers smarter through financial education

December 26, 2024
Growing up, I had my own personal consumer advocate, my grandmother,…
Read more
https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-18-at-4.49.09 PM.png 844 762 sepidehk https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/NCL-logo.png sepidehk2024-12-26 21:55:052025-05-08 00:25:40Making consumers smarter through financial education

The U.S. Department of Education’s role is critical for consumers

December 9, 2024
December 9, 2024: Washington, DC – The National Consumers League (NCL) rejects proposals to abolish the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and urges Members of Congress to strengthen the agency and its critically important role for consumers.
Read more
https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/iStock-2171098900.jpg 1414 2121 sepidehk https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/NCL-logo.png sepidehk2024-12-09 17:14:292025-05-08 00:35:43The U.S. Department of Education’s role is critical for consumers

Dallas High School team from Pennsylvania wins 2024 National LifeSmarts Championship

April 24, 2024
April 24, 2024: Pennsylvania’s Dallas High School students were crowned the 2024 National LifeSmarts Champion in San Diego, California, this past Sunday, April 21.
Read more
https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Social-Media-Images-2.png 788 940 sepidehk https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/NCL-logo.png sepidehk2024-04-24 14:20:502025-03-25 15:08:12Dallas High School team from Pennsylvania wins 2024 National LifeSmarts Championship

2023 Script Your Future Medication Adherence Team Challenge winners

May 16, 2023
May 16, 2023: Today, the National Consumers League (NCL) announced the winners of its twelfth annual Script Your Future Medication Adherence Team Challenge, an eight-week intercollegiate competition among health profession student teams and faculty to combat poor medication adherence in the United States, where nearly three out of four patients do not take their medication as directed.
Read more
https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Untitled-design-8-e1746665157214.png 250 250 Katie Brown https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/NCL-logo.png Katie Brown2023-05-16 15:50:042025-05-08 00:46:332023 Script Your Future Medication Adherence Team Challenge winners

Team from Hawaii wins its state’s first National LifeSmarts Championship

May 2, 2023
May 2, 2023: The team from Maryknoll School in Honolulu, Hawaii, was crowned the 2023 National LifeSmarts Champion in Cincinnati, Ohio, this past Sunday, April 30. In 29 years of LifeSmarts competition this is the first-ever win for The Aloha State.
Read more
https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Social-Media-Images-2.png 788 940 Katie Brown https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/NCL-logo.png Katie Brown2023-05-02 21:40:382025-05-07 23:58:59Team from Hawaii wins its state’s first National LifeSmarts Championship

Cincinnati to host 2023 National LifeSmarts Championship event April 27-30

April 25, 2023
The 29th National LifeSmarts Championship, the youth consumer education program of the National Consumers League, kicks off this Thursday, April 27, at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, a National Historic Landmark in downtown Cincinnati. The four-day annual event hosts students from across the United States competing for prizes while showcasing their knowledge of real-life consumer issues that focus on the five content areas: personal finance, consumer rights, technology and career readiness, health and safety, and the environment.
Read more
https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Social-Media-Images-2.png 788 940 Katie Brown https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/NCL-logo.png Katie Brown2023-04-25 17:53:202025-03-25 16:37:20Cincinnati to host 2023 National LifeSmarts Championship event April 27-30

LifeSmarts announces expanded partnership with Discover® Student Loans

April 3, 2023
The 29th National LifeSmarts Championship is on the horizon for the National Consumers League’s (NCL) youth consumer education program. Through LifeSmarts, students learn about real-life consumer issues and compete to win prizes and scholarships at the National LifeSmarts Championship in April each year. To highlight the start of Financial Literacy Month in April, NCL is proud to announce an expansion of lessons on financial aid and financing a post-secondary education and a new lesson about choosing a college major, made possible by Discover Student Loans.
Read more
https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Social-Media-Images-2.png 788 940 Katie Brown https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/NCL-logo.png Katie Brown2023-04-03 15:09:422025-03-25 16:37:15LifeSmarts announces expanded partnership with Discover® Student Loans

Advice to get rid of that debt monkey on your back

September 22, 2020
Michelle Singletary award-winning Washington Post columnist discusses how consumers can manage debt and...
Read more
https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/money--scaled.jpeg 2161 2560 NCL staff https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/NCL-logo.png NCL staff2020-09-22 06:37:092025-01-28 21:12:02Advice to get rid of that debt monkey on your back
PreviousNext

Team from Hawaii wins its state’s first National LifeSmarts Championship

May 2, 2023
May 2, 2023: The team from Maryknoll School in Honolulu, Hawaii, was crowned the 2023 National LifeSmarts Champion in Cincinnati, Ohio, this past Sunday, April 30. In 29 years of LifeSmarts competition this is the first-ever win for The Aloha State.
Read more
https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Social-Media-Images-2.png 788 940 Katie Brown https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/NCL-logo.png Katie Brown2023-05-02 21:40:382025-05-07 23:58:59Team from Hawaii wins its state’s first National LifeSmarts Championship

Cincinnati to host 2023 National LifeSmarts Championship event April 27-30

April 25, 2023
The 29th National LifeSmarts Championship, the youth consumer education program of the National Consumers League, kicks off this Thursday, April 27, at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, a National Historic Landmark in downtown Cincinnati. The four-day annual event hosts students from across the United States competing for prizes while showcasing their knowledge of real-life consumer issues that focus on the five content areas: personal finance, consumer rights, technology and career readiness, health and safety, and the environment.
Read more
https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Social-Media-Images-2.png 788 940 Katie Brown https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/NCL-logo.png Katie Brown2023-04-25 17:53:202025-03-25 16:37:20Cincinnati to host 2023 National LifeSmarts Championship event April 27-30

LifeSmarts announces expanded partnership with Discover® Student Loans

April 3, 2023
The 29th National LifeSmarts Championship is on the horizon for the National Consumers League’s (NCL) youth consumer education program. Through LifeSmarts, students learn about real-life consumer issues and compete to win prizes and scholarships at the National LifeSmarts Championship in April each year. To highlight the start of Financial Literacy Month in April, NCL is proud to announce an expansion of lessons on financial aid and financing a post-secondary education and a new lesson about choosing a college major, made possible by Discover Student Loans.
Read more
https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Social-Media-Images-2.png 788 940 Katie Brown https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/NCL-logo.png Katie Brown2023-04-03 15:09:422025-03-25 16:37:15LifeSmarts announces expanded partnership with Discover® Student Loans

Advice to get rid of that debt monkey on your back

September 22, 2020
Michelle Singletary award-winning Washington Post columnist discusses how consumers can manage debt and...
Read more
https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/money--scaled.jpeg 2161 2560 NCL staff https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/NCL-logo.png NCL staff2020-09-22 06:37:092025-01-28 21:12:02Advice to get rid of that debt monkey on your back
Page 2 of 212

Featured Program

Featured Resources

America’s second obesity crisis is an infodemic of disinformation about GLP-1 weight loss drugs

May 1, 2025/in Featured Home - Consumer Education, Featured Home - Your Health, Press release Press Releases /by Lisa McDonald

May 1, 2025: Washington, DC – With mounting evidence that an infodemic of disinformation about GLP-1 weight loss medicines has become America’s second obesity crisis, the National Consumers League (NCL) – a leading non-profit fighting fraud in the marketplace – today released a white paper as a blueprint for policy changes to combat the flood of false information circulating online about GLP-1 products and launched an ambitious national anti-disinformation effort called the Weight Truth with the online hub, www.weight-truth.org, to drive action.

Read more
https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/The-Weight-Truth-Banner-17.png 1036 2048 Lisa McDonald https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/NCL-logo.png Lisa McDonald2025-05-01 07:00:042025-05-07 23:40:43America’s second obesity crisis is an infodemic of disinformation about GLP-1 weight loss drugs

Wisconsin High School team wins the 2025 Varsity LifeSmarts National Championship  

April 27, 2025/in Featured Home - Consumer Education, Press release LifeSmarts Press Releases /by Lisa McDonald

April 27, 2025: Washington, DC – Today, Wisconsin’s Pewaukee High School students were crowned the 2025 Varsity LifeSmarts National Champions in Chicago, Illinois. Coached by Shawn Prell, the winning team consisted of Logan Nguyen, Max Smith, Ben Varner, Texas Maki, and Landon Pungarcher.

Read more
https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Winner.png 1068 1600 Lisa McDonald https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/NCL-logo.png Lisa McDonald2025-04-27 18:02:492025-05-07 21:12:33Wisconsin High School team wins the 2025 Varsity LifeSmarts National Championship  

Featured Advocacy Letters

NCL among one of many organizations expressing concern for the growing catalytic converter theft problem

August 29, 2024/in Consumer Protection, Press release, Statement consumer, consumer protection, press release, press releases, Sally Greenberg press_releases Letters, Press Releases, Statements, Statements (cont.) /by sepidehk

August 29, 2024: Today, the National Consumers League, along with many other organizations representing a cross-section of industry and interested stakeholders, signed a letter to the chairs of both the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation expressing their strong support of an amendment to combat the growing national problem of catalytic converter theft.

Read more
https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/catalytic-converter-theft_iStock-1451723120-scaled.jpg 1707 2560 sepidehk https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/NCL-logo.png sepidehk2024-08-29 19:27:072024-08-29 19:37:19NCL among one of many organizations expressing concern for the growing catalytic converter theft problem

Featured Press Releases

NCL Denounces Illegal Attempt to Fire CPSC Commissioners

May 9, 2025/in Featured Home - Consumer Protection, Press release Press Releases, Statements /by allisonc

May 9, 2025: Washington, DC – Washington, DC – The National Consumers League calls on the Trump administration to rescind the illegal attempt to fire Democratic Commissioners on the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). “This unprecedented assault on our nation’s regulator of household product safety is in direct contravention of the spirit and letter of the law, runs afoul of decades of Supreme Court precedent, and threatens to cripple the CPSC’s ability to carry out its lifesaving mission,” said Daniel Greene, the Senior Director of Consumer Protection & Product Safety at the National Consumers League.

Read more
https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Social-Media-Images-72.png 788 940 allisonc https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/NCL-logo.png allisonc2025-05-09 14:49:052025-05-09 21:14:40NCL Denounces Illegal Attempt to Fire CPSC Commissioners

158 Advocates Send Letter Opposing Plan to Eliminate the CPSC

May 8, 2025/in Featured Home - Consumer Protection, Press release Press Releases, Statements /by Lisa McDonald

May 8, 2025: Washington, DC – Today, the National Consumers League, Consumer Federation of America, Consumer Reports, and 156 other product safety advocates sent a letter to Russell Vought, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, expressing their strong opposition to any attempt to eliminate, defund, or weaken the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Read more
https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Social-Media-Images-27.png 788 940 Lisa McDonald https://nclnet.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/NCL-logo.png Lisa McDonald2025-05-08 14:04:282025-05-13 18:08:49158 Advocates Send Letter Opposing Plan to Eliminate the CPSC

  • Our Impact

    The work of the National Consumers League is making a difference in people’s lives across the country. Meet some of the consumers touched by our programs.

    Read about NCL’s impact

  • Preventing yet another victim

    Paige, 55, a Nashville wife and mother of two, answered an employment ad for secret shoppers. Before sending payment to the scammers, she reached out to NCL.

    Read about NCL’s impact

  • Building a stronger generation

    A grease fire flared up in Decklan’s kitchen. As his family scrambled and panicked, fearing that the whole house might erupt in flames, Decklan remained calm. He hurried over to the pantry, grabbed some baking soda, and dumped it on the fire quickly extinguishing the blaze.

    Read about NCL’s impact

  • Script Your Future saved my life

    Cincinnati resident Charles, 45, lost his computer business — and health insurance— during a time of economic downturn. A diabetic, Charles was now unable to afford his medication. He stopped taking it which made him seriously ill and put his life at risk.

    Read about NCL’s impact

  • For a safer workplace

    Jeremy is a fast-food worker who has been employed at a number of Chipotle restaurants in New York City. When he was just 20 years old, he took part in an NCL research project that revealed that management practices within the fast food chain were putting workers—and food safety for customers—at risk.

    Read about NCL’s impact

  • Our Impact

  • Preventing yet another victim

  • Building a stronger generation

  • Script Your Future saved my life

  • For a safer workplace

Our Programs

Child Labour Lifesmart script your future Fraud.org Logo 6 R2OC

About NCL

  • About Us
  • Our Programs
  • Leadership
  • History
  • Trumpeter Awards
  • Legal Work
  • Careers
  • NCL Policies

Our Work

  • Consumer Education
  • Consumer Protection
  • Food & Nutrition
  • Fraud Prevention
  • Health
  • Workers Rights

More

  • Thought Leadership
  • Newsroom
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Take Action
  • Partner With Us
DONATE
Our office is open: Mon-Fri, 9 am – 5 pm, Eastern
Phone: (202) 835-3323
Fax: (202) 835-0747
Email: info@nclnet.org

© Copyright 2025 - National Consumers League
Scroll to top

[gravityform id=”11″ title=”true” description=”false”]

[gravityform id=”9″ title=”true” description=”false” ajax=”true”]

PBPA Commends HHS Funding to Support Maternal and Infant Health

The Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance (PBPA), a coalition of maternal and women’s health advocates dedicated to improving preterm birth outcomes in the United States and addressing its disproportionate impact on women of color, applauds the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for awarding nearly $350 million to states across the country to improve support for safe pregnancies and healthy babies.

“For far too long, U.S. maternal health care has lagged behind that of other developed countries, particularly for women of color,” noted Sally Greenberg, Executive Director of the National Consumers League. “This additional funding will enable local health departments and nonprofits to better address the health care needs of the most vulnerable mothers and their babies.”

The funding, awarded by HHS’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), will support home visiting services, increase access to doulas, address infant mortality and maternal illness, and improve data reporting on maternal mortality.

“Maternal health care in the U.S. has consistently failed women of color,” Greenberg continued.  “We applaud HHS for this additional funding that will help to improve the maternal health for all mothers and babies, especially women of color and those most at-risk.”

The funding announcement follows the release of a report by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights which found that Native American women are more than two times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women in the U.S. This disparity was further exacerbated for Black women in the U.S., who are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women.

“In addition to expanding programs to support maternal health, we must increase representation from racially and ethnically diverse groups in research and clinical trials, particularly those studying treatment options to prevent maternal morbidity and mortality,” said Greenberg.  “The need for the additional HHS funding and the report from the Commission on Civil Rights clearly illustrate how critical representative research and real world evidence are to ensuring all mothers and their babies have the same opportunity for the best possible health outcomes.”

Diverse research for a diverse America: The value of equitable, real-world research

August 12, 2021/in Blog, Health, Prevention Blog Post

By Sally Greenberg, NCL Executive Director

While the COVID-19 pandemic has led to hardship for all Americans, it is clear that people of color have been disproportionately burdened. Across the health care continuum, addressing this disparity has become part of the broader conversation about the history of systemic racism and the underlying social determinants of health that negatively affect the mental, physical, and economic health of individuals and entire communities.

The pandemic has underscored persistent health disparities, and there is growing recognition that representation in research and clinical trials can have a profound impact on health outcomes. A lack of representation from racially and ethnically diverse groups in research and clinical trials have typically led to gaps in data, missing the opportunity to assess the full impact of various treatments and drugs across a range of populations. The collection and use of real-world research and data to inform the potential use, risks, and benefits of medical products and treatments can ultimately lead to better health outcomes, particularly for those who have been underrepresented in the past.

Existing efforts to improve inclusion

Efforts to expand diversity and representation in medical research are underway in Congress. Policymakers are encouraging the incorporation of Real World Evidence (RWE) in drug development through the recent Cures 2.0 draft legislation released by Reps. Diana Degette (D-CO-1) and Fred Upton (D-MI-6). While the status quo limits us from effectively reaching underserved populations, the proposed legislation would allow studies that include RWE for some drugs after they have been approved. At the heart of this issue is a growing appreciation that the same therapy can affect different populations in different ways, which is why Cures 2.0 supports collecting data that more accurately reflects the unique experiences and needs of patients across diverse populations.

Recognizing the potential for RWE in maternal health

The lack of representative research in the field of maternal health is undeniable, and its implications are staggering. The dismal state of maternal care in the United States reflects how our health care system has failed women of color, including by not adequately studying treatment options to prevent maternal morbidity and mortality. The need for RWE is clear when you consider the persistent disparities in health outcomes that plague minority communities.

Preterm birth and its disproportionate impact on women of color is a stark illustration of the need to make progress on representative research in maternal health. Preterm birth is the second-largest contributor to infant death in America today. Despite the tremendous physical, emotional, and financial toll that preterm birth continues to take on our country — disproportionately so on women and families of color — not enough therapeutic tools currently exist to prevent it.

Today, “17P,” the only FDA-approved treatment to help reduce the likelihood of spontaneous, recurrent preterm birth in the United States is at-risk of being withdrawn from the market in all its forms, including the branded product and five generic versions. Unfortunately there is conflicting evidence from two different clinical trials, one representative of a diverse U.S. population and another studied in a largely white population in Europe. It’s not a straightforward comparison. If 17P is withdrawn, the women most affected by preterm birth, predominantly women of color, would be left without an FDA-approved treatment option.

The FDA is considering the path forward, including additional data collection through leveraging RWE from past patient use. The success of the first (approval) trial for 17P in the impacted communities signals the importance of RWE. Continued access to 17P is, at its core, a matter of health equity. Black women must not yet again be left vulnerable to a system that historically has overlooked them.

PRETERM BIRTH PREVENTION ALLIANCE APPLAUDS FDA’S GRANTING OF HEARING FOR THE ONLY FDA-APPROVED THERAPIES TO REDUCE RECURRENT PRETERM BIRTH

WASHINGTON, DC, August 26, 2021 –

Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance a coalition of maternal and women’s health advocates dedicated to improving preterm birth outcomes in the United States and addressing its disproportionate impact on women of color, commends the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for granting a public hearing to discuss 17P, the only FDA-approved class of branded and generic treatments to reduce preterm birth in indicated patients.

We appreciate the FDA’s willingness to hear directly from individuals facing prematurity and the providers who treat them about their experiences with 17P,” said National Consumer League’s Executive Director Sally Greenberg. “It is an important step towards better understanding variations in efficacy across diverse populations and ensuring all women have an equal chance at the best possible outcomes.”

Last week, the FDA agreed to grant Covis Pharma, the manufacturer of the branded 17P product Makena its request for a public hearing to discuss 17P. Hydroxyprogesterone caproate—or “17P”—has been approved since 2011 and is the only FDA-approved class of treatments to help prevent spontaneous, recurrent preterm birth in the United States. In 2020, the FDA proposed withdrawing 17P in all its forms, including the branded product and its five generic versions, based on conflicting efficacy data from two studies composed of vastly different populations, one predominantly inclusive of women in the U.S. most vulnerable to preterm birth and one not.

“Mothers and birthing people deserve access to the best possible treatments to prevent preterm birth. We cannot achieve birth equity if we study pregnant women as a monolith,” said Blythe Thomas, Initiative Director of 1,000 Days. “It is only by systematically researching the real-world, post-market impact of 17P on individuals from a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds, while maintaining access for all affected, that we can reduce disparities in maternal and infant health.”

While the hearing date has not yet been set, the Alliance looks forward to sharing the perspectives of affected individuals and their physicians with the agency once the hearing is scheduled and will continue to advocate for at-risk moms and babies of all races and ethnicities.

###

ABOUT THE PRETERM BIRTH PREVENTION ALLIANCE

The Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance (PBPA) is a coalition of maternal and women’s health advocates who share a common concern about the state of preterm birth in the United States and the proposed market withdrawal of 17P, the only FDA-approved class of treatments to help prevent spontaneous, recurrent preterm birth. Formed in 2021 by the National Consumers League, the 15 partners in the PBPA seek to improve preterm birth outcomes in the United States by maintaining access to safe, FDA-approved treatment options and advocating for more diverse medical research that adequately represents the experiences of women and newborns of color. Women of color need a seat at the table. To learn more, visit www.pretermbirthalliance.org

LEADING PATIENT ADVOCATES LAUNCH PRETERM BIRTH PREVENTION ALLIANCE TO PROTECT CRITICAL ACCESS TO THE SOLE FDA-APPROVED CLASS OF THERAPIES TO REDUCE RECURRENT PRETERM BIRTH

WASHINGTON, DC, April 20, 2021 – Today, the National Consumers League (NCL), along with a coalition of patient advocacy organizations dedicated to advancing the health of mothers and infants, announced the launch of the >Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance.

Members of the Alliance are joining forces in an effort to preserve patient access to the only Food & Drug Administration-approved class of treatments for pregnant women who have previously had an unexpected, or spontaneous, preterm birth. Together, Alliance members seek to ensure that the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) hears concerns from the full range of stakeholders about the potential risks and impact of withdrawal for at-risk pregnant women and their providers.

For the fifth year in a row, the U.S. preterm birth rate has increased (to 10.2 percent of births), and preterm birth and its complications were the second largest contributor to infant death across the country. Preterm birth also represents a significant racial health disparity, with Black women in America experiencing premature delivery at a rate 50 percent higher than other racial groups throughout the country.

However, in 2020, the FDA >proposed withdrawing hydroxyprogesterone caproate, commonly called “17P” or “17-OHPC”, the only FDA-approved class of branded and generic treatments to help prevent the risk of preterm birth in women with a history of spontaneous preterm birth. The FDA is currently determining whether to hold a hearing on the status of 17P, based on conflicting efficacy data from two studies composed of vastly different patient populations, one inclusive of women in the U.S. most vulnerable to preterm birth and one not.

“We’re fighting for a more inclusive healthcare system that gives everyone an equal chance to have the best outcomes possible,” said Sally Greenberg, executive director of the National Consumers League. “We don’t believe that removing 17P from the market without gaining a better understanding of who could benefit the most from its use is in the best interests of patients, nor their healthcare providers, particularly as there are no other approved treatment options available.”

To date, 14 organizations have joined NCL to advocate for the health interests of at-risk pregnant women and infants, including: 1,000 Days; 2020 Mom; American Association of Birth Centers; Black Mamas Matter Alliance; Black Women’s Health Imperative; Expecting Health; Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Montana; HealthyWomen; Miracle Babies; National Birth Equity Collaborative; National Black Midwives Alliance; National Partnership for Women & Families; Sidelines High-Risk National Support Network; and SisterReach.

“As a trained obstetrician and gynecologist, I know firsthand the impact of preterm birth on Black women and birthing people. I also know that racism – not race – is the driving factor leading the disproportionate impact of preterm birth on Black women and birthing people thereby exacerbating systemic inequities in maternal and infant health. To achieve birth equity, which is the assurance of the conditions of optimal births for all people with a willingness to address racial and social inequities in a sustained effort, we must work to protect and uphold a standard of care for spontaneous, recurrent preterm births and ensure it remains accessible and affordable for all who stand in need,” added Dr. Joia Crear Perry, founder and president of the National Birth Equity Collaborative.

The Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance is calling for the FDA to grant a public hearing to fully consider all of the data, additional research methods, and stakeholder perspectives before deciding whether to withdraw approval of this critical class of therapies. The health of America’s moms and babies warrants the utmost care and consideration.

###

ABOUT THE PRETERM BIRTH PREVENTION ALLIANCE

The Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance is a coalition of maternal and women’s health advocates who share a common concern about the state of preterm birth in the United States and the proposed market withdrawal of 17P, the only FDA-approved class of treatments to help prevent spontaneous, recurrent preterm birth. Formed in 2021 by the National Consumers League, we seek to improve preterm birth outcomes in the United States by maintaining access to safe, FDA-approved treatment options and advocating for more diverse medical research that adequately represents the experiences of women and newborns of color. Women of color need a seat at the table. To learn more, visit www.pretermbirthalliance.org.

Initial support for the Preterm Birth Prevention Alliance is provided by Covis Pharma.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Carol McKay, carolm@nclnet.org

<embed src=”https://art19.com/shows/ce489618-5918-423a-9b5f-35ce4c28ca09/episodes/2f8fa6fc-6aad-4f1f-bf13-3bdb0aa41732/embed?theme=light-custom&primary_color=%231850a3″ width=”100%” height=”300″></embed>

<iframe src=”https://art19.com/shows/we-can-do-this/episodes/c7b22520-c0aa-4718-9b59-4ee67e494547/embed?theme=light-custom” style=”width: 100%; height: 200px; border: 0 none;” scrolling=”no”></iframe>

<iframe src=”https://art19.com/shows/we-can-do-this/episodes/ab80228e-48d9-4a45-a894-a1bfc4e41c64/embed?theme=light-custom” style=”width: 100%; height: 200px; border: 0 none;” scrolling=”no”></iframe>

<iframe src=”https://art19.com/shows/we-can-do-this/episodes/ea08cbc0-f9f2-4082-9222-4e33f68b6826/embed?theme=light-custom” style=”width: 100%; height: 200px; border: 0 none;” scrolling=”no”></iframe>

<iframe src=”https://art19.com/shows/we-can-do-this/episodes/5039453f-6008-413a-9f6b-c9be649fd26e/embed?theme=light-custom” style=”width: 100%; height: 200px; border: 0 none;” scrolling=”no”></iframe>

<iframe src=”https://art19.com/shows/we-can-do-this/episodes/fafb46f8-6d90-4cd8-91be-616366d1b8ca/embed?theme=light-custom” style=”width: 100%; height: 200px; border: 0 none;” scrolling=”no”></iframe>

<iframe src=”https://art19.com/shows/we-can-do-this/episodes/25f0485d-bbce-46c8-bb90-139dcf1a2e7b/embed?theme=light-custom” style=”width: 100%; height: 200px; border: 0 none;” scrolling=”no”></iframe>

<iframe src=”https://art19.com/shows/we-can-do-this/episodes/ffbcae35-84c5-4c8b-9686-6e2c79679dd0/embed?theme=light-custom” style=”width: 100%; height: 200px; border: 0 none;” scrolling=”no”></iframe>

<iframe src=”https://art19.com/shows/we-can-do-this/episodes/520bdd73-d142-4508-9706-d81b5c042dff/embed?theme=light-custom” style=”width: 100%; height: 200px; border: 0 none;” scrolling=”no”></iframe>

<iframe src=”https://art19.com/shows/we-can-do-this/episodes/12354e8b-bf15-4eba-b34f-20e435df3bb7/embed?theme=light-custom” style=”width: 100%; height: 200px; border: 0 none;” scrolling=”no”></iframe>

<iframe src=”https://art19.com/shows/we-can-do-this/episodes/e2091efc-d66d-49f4-aa8e-8e6249858310/embed?theme=light-custom” style=”width: 100%; height: 200px; border: 0 none;” scrolling=”no”></iframe>