The Guide to Clinical Preventive Services 2012: Recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

Since 1998, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has convened the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)-an independent panel of non- Federal experts in prevention and primary care. AHRQ staff provide scientific, technical, and administrative support for the Task Force, and assist in disseminating its findings and recommendations to key audiences. In that role, we are pleased to make The Guide to Clinical Preventive Services 2012 available to those who seek to ensure that their patients receive the highest quality clinical preventive services. Previous iterations of the USPSTF Guide to Clinical Preventive Services are used around the Nation to provide appropriate and effective preventive care. This year's Guide includes some changes that will make it more user-friendly for practicing clinicians. The Guide comprises 64 preventive services, which now are presented in an easy-to-use, one-page summary table format. In addition, the Guide provides information on resources that clinicians can use to educate their patients on appropriate preventive services, as well as brief descriptions of and links to tools that they can use to improve their practices, including the electronic Preventive Services Selector, MyHealthfinder, and the Guide to Community Preventive Services. As more information becomes available to clinicians and patients alike, AHRQ's goal is to help improve patients' health and well being, and contribute to better health outcomes for the Nation overall.