Health Promotion/Disease Prevention
Preventive Services Resources
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)
Put Prevention Into Practice
Low Birthweight in Minority and High-Risk Women
Preventive Services for Children
Stroke Prevention: Recommendations
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: An Evidence-based Prevention Resource for Nurse Practitioners
What You Should Know About Stroke Prevention
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Evidence Reports
Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, No. 101:
Economic Incentives for Preventive Care
Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, No. 136:
Value of the Periodic Health Evaluation
Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, No. 140:
Tobacco Use: Prevention, Cessation, and Control
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Speeches & Testimony
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Research Findings
Agency Press Releases
News and Numbers
Research Activities, September 2010:
Physicians' use of "we" during patient visits does not necessarily foster patient-physician partnership
Iron and zinc co-supplementation seems to be most helpful for children in developing countries
Predicting cardiovascular risk in patients with metabolic syndrome depends on definition used for the syndrome
Study shows Guided Care benefits family caregivers, chronically ill older adults, and physicians, and may reduce costs
Early followup with a physician reduces readmissions for Medicare patients hospitalized for heart failure
New study finds rotator cuff injuries treatable, but evidence unclear whether surgery is preferable
Research Activities, August 2010:
Many homeless women are reluctant to get free Pap smears
Using quitlines with physician support improves smoking cessation
Thoracic surgeons can help patients stop smoking with a brief smoking cessation program
Challenges abundant for practices that use fax referrals to smoking cessation quitlines
AHRQ and Ad Council encourage men to take preventive steps in their health care
Men shy away from routine medical appointments
Research Activities, July 2010:
Extended use of antiviral drugs found to be safe and effective in preventing symptomatic influenza
Doctors remain remiss in advising overweight patients about healthy eating
Evidence inconclusive regarding prevention of Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline
Research Activities, June 2010:
Doctors underprescribe warfarin to prevent strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure
Early and intensive intervention for a flu pandemic is effective and cost-effective
More adults with diabetes are getting flu shots
Research Activities, May 2010:
While young women are knowledgeable about the HPV vaccine, many have yet to be vaccinated to prevent cervical cancer
Research Activities, April 2010:
To reduce hospital deaths, managing surgical complications may be as important as preventing them
The stability of a usual source of care is important to the care of low-income children
Rotavirus was culprit in one-fourth of children's diarrhea-related emergency department visits prior to vaccine
Many minority patients do not receive or complete colorectal cancer screening tests in urban, primary care settings
Research Activities, March 2010:
Wellness education and physical therapy improve health and functioning of persons with multiple sclerosis
Task force recommends screening children and adolescents for obesity
Colorectal cancer screening still underused
Research Activities, February 2010:
Demographic and health factors influence the type of prostate cancer screening received by men over age 40
Patients who are treated with empathy during office visits get over colds faster
Many patients with coronary artery disease who could benefit from cardiac rehabilitation are not referred for this treatment
Children with cerebral palsy who undergo gait assessment before surgery are less likely to need additional surgery later
Pneumonia vaccine has not increased dangerous methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in children
Rural residents depend on physician offices for their osteoporosis testing
Research Activities, January 2010:
U.S. spends nearly $1 billion on blood thinners for adults
Administration of antimicrobials just prior to surgery reduces the risk of surgical site infections
Two-thirds of people with diabetes miss some critically important exams to manage the disease
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Research Activities, December 2009:
Lifestyle changes are needed in addition to drugs to prevent heart attacks
High blood pressure control is often elusive for blacks and Mexican Americans, despite adherence to treatment and lifestyle changes
Vigorous physical activity may reduce risk of diverticulitis and diverticular bleeding among men
Laptop test in an emergency department can help detect subtle cognitive deficits following concussions
A substantial number of adults stockpiled drugs for the avian flu outbreak in 2005
Majority of primary care physicians now recommend colonoscopy
Primary care physicians do not always discuss the risks and benefits of prostate cancer screening with patients
Smoking is particularly hazardous for individuals with HIV infection
Observing patients swallowing one HIV drug on weekdays has little impact on drug adherence
Research Activities, November 2009:
Intervention leads to reduction in central venous catheter-associated blood stream infections for pediatric patients
Chronic disease self-management program improves illness management for up to 6 months, then effectiveness wanes
Task force finds insufficient evidence to screen for newborn jaundice to prevent a more serious chronic condition
Research Activities, October 2009:
Parent and provider partnerships hold promise for improving adolescent health
Cost and depression serve as barriers to performing self-care behaviors for people with diabetes
Self-management support results in better diabetes outcomes
Algorithm now available to prevent recurrent bone fractures in nursing home residents
Risk factors for harboring multiple strains of E. coli are elusive
Research Activities, September 2009:
Uninsured and partially insured patients with diabetes are less likely to be screened at Federally Qualified Health Centers
Community health workers can help poor and minority groups access some cancer screening services
Genetic factors are linked to symptoms in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Study examines outpatient use of medication and lifestyle counseling to manage osteoporosis
HIV screening is cost-effective in Russia
Research Activities, July 2009:
Using a chronic care model improves smoking cessation programs in primary care clinics
Elderly women still see lifelong cervical cancer screening as important
Research Activities, June 2009:
Perceptions about fruit and vegetable intake are influenced by individual and community factors
Minority children from disadvantaged families use more urgent care and less preventive care for their asthma
Task Force reaffirms recommendations for screening and counseling all adults and pregnant women for tobacco use
Research Activities, May 2009:
Task Force recommends screening adolescents for clinical depression
Research Activities, April 2009:
Task Force recommends using aspirin to prevent cardiovascular disease when the benefits outweigh the harms
More black than white women receive mammograms in St. Louis
Young women with diabetes do not receive recommended preventive services
Immigrants use fewer preventive services than U.S. natives
Uninsured Americans with asthma are less likely to take daily preventive medicine
Research Activities, March 2009:
Strategies are needed to improve immunization rates among adolescents, especially those with high-risk conditions
Research Activities, February 2009:
Many older women prefer to have annual Pap tests
More intensive prostate cancer screening and treatment is not linked with fewer prostate cancer deaths
Neither family history nor perceived risk of prostate cancer affects men's screening or preventive behaviors
A multicomponent implementation strategy increases the use of care processes associated with higher rates of preventive services
Women and blacks are less likely to receive preventive care to prevent further strokes
Research Activities, January 2009:
Immunization of infants with pneumococcal conjugate vaccine has wide preventive effects
Culturally appropriate interventions raise flu and pneumonia vaccine rates at inner-city health centers
Cost-effectiveness of pertussis vaccine in adults confirmed in U.S. and German studies
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Research Activities, December 2008:
Hypertension questionnaire exposes knowledge gaps in New Orleans
Research Activities, November 2008:
Behavioral modification programs help obese children manage their weight
Centers that offer screening mammograms only and have a breast specialist on site provide more accurate readings
New care tracking tool helps identify nursing home patients at risk for pressure ulcers
Studies examine ways to improve delivery of colorectal cancer screening in primary care practice
Task Force finds several methods equally effective for colorectal cancer screening
Two new resources can help consumers and clinicians prevent dangerous blood clots
New computer-based tools will help make best use of genetic breast cancer tests
Research Activities, October 2008:
Education by mail is as effective as in-class training for Korean-Americans with high blood pressure
Task Force says men age 75 and older should not be screened for prostate cancer
Research Activities, September 2008:
Women's perception of risk affects screening for colon cancer,
but not cervical or breast cancer
Task Force recommends screening for hearing loss in all newborns
Although most children and adolescents have been vaccinated
against hepatitis B virus, adults lag behind
AHRQ and AARP team to help adults over 50 stay healthy
Men with certain risk factors for osteoporosis should be
screened for the condition
Use of prevention drugs after heart attacks declines steadily
after hospital discharge
Hypertension in the emergency department may signal undiagnosed
hypertension, not just pain or anxiety
Research Activities, August 2008:
Media coverage has boosted awareness of colorectal cancer screening, but messages need to be more targeted
Lack of physician discussion and patient refusal are two main reasons patients aren't screened for colon cancer
Research Activities, July 2008:
Women over 40 responded to changes in mammogram recommendations
Hundreds of patients would need to undergo spirometry to defer a single acute exacerbation of COPD
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that at-risk men and women be screened for certain sexually transmitted infections
Urban, low-income adults with high blood pressure are reasonably knowledgeable about their condition
Primary care doctors miss diagnosing two-thirds of people suffering from depression
Research Activities, June 2008:
AHRQ and the Ad Council encourage men to take preventive steps in their health care
Community-wide interventions prove modestly successful in reducing antibiotic use among Medicaid-insured children
Research Activities, May 2008:
AHRQ and Ad Council encourage Hispanics to become more involved in their health care
Staff education and performance feedback only slightly improve fracture prevention among nursing home residents
Most health care workers do not intend to receive pertussis vaccination, despite their increased risk of acquiring and transmitting the infection
Research Activities, April 2008:
State spending on parks and recreation and required physical education classes are linked to youth activity
Adolescents are willing to have chlamydial screening by pediatricians during urgent care visits
Maternal asthma is associated with lower birth weight
Despite lack of evidence of benefit, PSA testing for prostate cancer screening has increased dramatically
Poverty-related factors rather than frequency of primary care visits underlie racial disparities in preventive care
Research Activities, February 2008:
Age, gender, and location are keys to predicting patient fall injuries in hospitals
Study of young Head Start children links overweight to worsened asthma
Research Activities, January 2008:
Antibiotics to prevent children's recurrent urinary tract infections have unclear benefits and potential risks
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs do not appear to protect against development of lung cancer
New studies reveal the impact of drug copayment and coinsurance policies on statin and beta-blocker therapy after heart attack
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Research Activities, December 2007:
Many underinsured U.S. children are not getting needed vaccines due to the current vaccine financing system
Colorectal cancer screening can be improved at primary care practices
Doctors should advise Latino families about the safety, low cost, and dental health benefits of drinking tap water
Research Activities, November 2007:
Local touchscreen computer kiosks can help parents in urban, low-income communities learn about their child's health
Evidence of benefit is lacking for many common ways of treating osteoarthritis of the knee
Diagnosing coronary heart disease prior to a heart attack improves the chance of lowering the risk of future coronary events
Research Activities, October 2007:
Primary care doctors should encourage colorectal cancer screening and clarify that screening is not just for those with symptoms
Studies show lower colorectal cancer screening rates and access to surgery among the poor, minority, and uninsured
Barriers to timely diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer in black men arise from lower socioeconomic status
Accurate laboratory detection of bladder cancer requires close follow-up with repeated testing
Low blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids predicts increased risk for acute coronary syndrome
Research Activities, September 2007:
Perceived discrimination does not appear to affect black women's adherence to screening mammography guidelines
Women with coronary heart disease are less likely than men to use aspirin to prevent further problems
Exam room reminders and physician feedback can improve screening for chlamydia in young women during preventive care visits
Home health care following hospitalization for hip fracture may provide an opportunity to limit osteoporosis progression
Medications that relieve pain and anxiety in acute trauma patients hold promise for prevention of posttraumatic stress disorder
Research Activities, August 2007:
Early detection and aggressive treatment for prostate cancer is linked to more use of androgen-deprivation therapy for older men
Pertussis vaccination in adults can be cost-effective depending on incidence rates
Research Activities, July 2007:
Inadequate communication of mammogram results may prevent black women from fully benefiting from screening
Research Activities, June 2007:
Incentives combined with peer counseling are a cost-effective way to get adolescents to adhere to a tuberculosis control program
A fall management program in nursing homes improves care and reduces use of physical restraints
Prophylactic antibiotics given to prevent surgical site infections are more timely if given in the operating room
Research Activities, May 2007:
An educational and support program can improve blood pressure control among immigrant Korean American seniors
Parents who explore a preventive health Web site before well-child visits discuss more prevention topics with doctors
Study supports recommendation to expand use of influenza vaccine to children older than 2 years of age
More intensive treatment contributes to better hypertension control in the United States compared with western Europe
Emergency physicians ask over half of female patients if they smoke, but don't counsel or advise them to quit
Research Activities, April 2007:
Use of asthma care guidelines reduces emergency visits and improves asthma care in children
Gastrointestinal complaints in young women of low to normal weight may indicate possible eating disorders
Model shows contribution of mammography screening and adjuvant therapy to reducing breast cancer deaths from 1975 to 2000
Clinic-based and community-based strategies can promote the use of key preventive services by Latina women
Primary care doctors consider several factors when deciding whether to counsel a patient about obesity
Primary care clinicians often fail to follow practice guidelines when treating patients with sore throats
Factors leading to gout and its management are different in women and men
Rates of colorectal cancer screening increased modestly from 2000 to 2003, but still remain low
Fewer than half of rural residents in Iowa are screened for colorectal cancer
New checklists help men and women know which medical tests are needed to stay healthy ay any age
Research Activities, March 2007:
AHRQ and the Ad Council encourage patients to ask questions and get more involved with their health care
Certain types of severe abdominal injury may signal child abuse in young children
Substantially delaying the first dose of hepatitis B vaccine may lead to underimmunization of children
Children are more likely to attend a weight management program if location and time are convenient for parents
One-third of U.S. veterans suffer from arthritis, perhaps due to orthopedic injuries sustained in the military
Task Force recommends against use of aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to prevent colorectal cancer
Research Activities, February 2007:
Many children do not receive recommended well-child visits during the year, especially disadvantaged children
Research Activities, January 2007:
Missed opportunities: Too few Americans are being screened or counseled to prevent colorectal cancer, obesity, and other conditions
Mandating more time in school PE classes may not increase exercise or weight loss among American children
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Research Activities, December 2006:
Longer anti-clotting treatment appears to lower the risk of death or a heart attack in patients with drug-eluting stents
Research Activities, November 2006:
Women's self-report of mammography use conflicts with verified reports using claims data
Faxed pharmacy alerts to doctors when patients miss their antidepressant prescription refill does not improve compliance
Physicians view some financial incentives as encouraging and others as discouraging services to patients
AHRQ and United Health Foundation to distribute the latest clinical prevention recommendations
AHRQ launches Electronic Preventive Services Selector (ePSS) tool for primary care clinicians
Research Activities, October 2006:
Learning collaboratives are a potentially effective way to improve the quality of care delivered by pediatric practices
Research Activities, September 2006:
Bone protection therapy shifted from estrogen to nonestrogen anti-osteoporosis medicine after publication of the Women's Health Initiative study
Diabetes screening practices in children vary widely among pediatric clinicians
Research Activities, August 2006:
Modifying unhealthy habits in middle age may reduce the likelihood of nursing home admissions later in life
Research Activities, July 2006:
Medications to prevent blood clots after major orthopedic surgery are underused, especially in Japanese patients
Reductions in primary and preventive care use under Medicaid primary care case management are more dramatic for minority children
Research Activities, June 2006:
Increasing cervical cancer screening intervals is cost-effective for women with three consecutive normal Pap smears
Research Activities, May 2006
Nurse-anchored practice-based research centers help address health disparities
Researchers examine gender disparities in the quality of preventive care and management of heart disease and diabetes
Improved recognition and treatment of emotional problems may indirectly improve the elderly's use of preventive care
Primary care doctors often fail to prescribe "controller medications" for asthma patients after an emergency room visit
Employers are least likely to offer insurance coverage for preventive care services that provide the financial return they seek
Research Activities, March 2006
Colorectal cancer screening rates are low among Latinos and people with little education
Women need information about alternatives, risks, and benefits of hormone therapy for osteoporosis to make an informed decision
Research Activities, February 2006:
Noninvasive tests may miss breast cancer
Study provides estimates of cervical cancers that may be missed by extending screening time after consecutive negative Pap smears
A diet high in omega-3 fatty acids is unlikely to reduce the risk of cancer
Recreational physical activities improve symptoms in patients with low back pain
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