The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is inviting public comment on its draft recommendation statement on the prevention of falls in older adults. This is the first time since 1996 that the USPSTF is making a recommendation on this topic. To provide comments, please go to http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/tfcomment.htm. The opportunity to comment on this draft recommendations statement is available until February 9, 2011.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is working to make its recommendations clearer and more useful. This is part of its ongoing effort to keep its work and methods clear to the public it serves.

The USPSTF is a national, independent panel of medical experts that makes recommendations, based on scientific evidence, to primary care doctors and other health care providers about which clinical preventive services they should offer their patients.

1/18/11 Final Recommendation Statement: Screening for Osteoporosis

In an update to its 2002 recommendation, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) now recommends screening for osteoporosis in women ages 65 years and older and in younger women whose fracture risk is equal to or greater than that of a 65-year-old white woman who has no additional risk factors. The USPSTF also concluded that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for osteoporosis in men.

This is the first final recommendation statement to be published since the implementation of the USPSTF public comment process for draft recommendation statements.

The recommendation appears in the January 18 online issue of Annals of Internal Medicine and is also available on the USPSTF Web site at http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/uspsoste.htm.

2/01/11 Final Recommendation Statement: Vision Screening in Children Ages 1 to 5

In an update to its 2004 recommendation, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) now recommends vision screening in all children at least once during the ages of 3 to 5 years to detect the presence of amblyopia or its risk factors. The USPSTF found that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of vision screening in children younger than 3 years of age.

The recommendation was published in the February issue of Pediatrics and is also available at http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/uspsvsch.htm.

2/22/11 Public Comment on Draft Recommendation: Behavioral Counseling to Promote a Healthy Diet and Physical Activity in Adults

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is inviting public comment on its draft recommendation statement on behavioral counseling interventions to promote a healthful diet and physical activity for cardiovascular disease prevention in adults. This draft recommendation is an update of the USPSTF 2002 recommendation on behavioral counseling in primary care to promote physical activity and a partial update of its 2003 recommendation on behavioral counseling in primary care to promote a healthy diet (the part of the recommendation that dealt with counseling patients at risk of cardiovascular disease was not updated at this time).

To provide comments, please go to http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/tfcomment.htm. The opportunity to comment on this draft recommendations statement is available until March 22, 2011.

The USPSTF is working to make its recommendations clearer and more useful. This is a new step as part of its ongoing effort to keep its work and methods clear to the public it serves.

3/14/11 Appointment of New Members to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) today announced the appointments of Virginia A. Moyer, M.D., M.P.H., as chair, and Albert L. Siu, M.D., M.S.P.H., and Michael L. LeFevre, M.D., M.S.P.H., as co-vice chairs of the Task Force. The USPSTF is an independent, volunteer panel of 16 private-sector experts in prevention and primary care that makes recommendations to primary care clinicians about preventive services such as screenings, counseling, or preventive medications that may benefit patients before they experience signs or symptoms of a condition. More information, including biographies for each new and existing member, is available at www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org.

3/22/11 Public Comment on Draft Evidence Report: Screening for and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease

Through a partnership with the Effective Health Care Program, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is offering an opportunity for public comment on the evidence report on Screening for and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease. To provide comments, please go to: http://www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/index.cfm/research-available-for-comment/comment-draft-reports/?pageaction=displayDraftCommentForm&topicid=163&productID=641. Comments will be accepted until April 6, 2011.

As the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force works to increase the transparency of its methods and processes, additional opportunities for public comment will be available. Information about these opportunities will be posted on http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/.

3/28/11 New Content on the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Web Site

Topic Nominations. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has expanded its Web site with new content. Now anyone—including individuals and organizations—can nominate a topic for the USPSTF to consider for a future recommendation directly through its Web site. A nomination may suggest a new preventive service topic that has not been reviewed by the USPSTF to date or recommend reconsideration of an existing topic. These nominations are accepted at any time and are considered by the USPSTF at one of its regularly scheduled meetings in March, July, or November. For more information or to nominate a topic, visit http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/tftopicnom.htm.

Older Adults. The USPSTF Web site now provides information on preventive services and health-related topics for older adults, as well as children and adolescents. The new content focuses on the USPSTF's Older Adults Workgroup, including its members, mission and objectives, current research, and proposed research methods (including a new draft analytic framework for "geriatric syndromes"). For more information about the USPSTF's work with special populations, visit http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/populations.htm.

4/5/11 Final Recommendation Statement: Screening for Testicular Cancer

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has reaffirmed its 2004 recommendation against screening for testicular cancer in adolescent and adult males without any symptoms. This is a grade D recommendation.

The recommendation was published in the April 5 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine and is also available at: http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/uspstest.htm. The USPSTF is a national, independent panel of non-Federal medical experts that makes recommendations, based on scientific evidence, to primary care doctors and other health care providers about which clinical preventive services they should offer their patients.

7/28/11 Final Recommendation Statement: Ocular Prophylaxis for Gonococcal Ophthalmia Neonatorum

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has reaffirmed its 2005 recommendation that all newborns should receive topical eye medication for the prevention of gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum within 24 hours of birth. This is a Grade A recommendation. The USPSTF concluded that there was no evidence of harms associated with the treatment, and the evidence showed a clear benefit to offering the preventive measure to all newborns. The recommendation is available at http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf10/gonoculproph/gonocuprs.htm.

8/16/11 Final Recommendation Statement: Screening for Bladder Cancer

In an update to its 2004 recommendation, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for bladder cancer in asymptomatic adults. This is an I statement. Previously, the USPSTF concluded that the harms outweighed the benefits of screening for bladder cancer. The update focused on the benefits and harms of screening among people without symptoms, the accuracy of screening tests done in primary care settings, and the benefits and harms of treatment. The updated evidence review did not find any new high quality evidence to adequately determine the balance of benefits and harms of screening for bladder cancer. However, bladder cancer is a common cancer and can cause considerable health problems including death. Therefore, the Task Force determined that the evidence was insufficient to provide a recommendation for or against bladder cancer screening. The USPSTF emphasizes the need for additional research in this area.

The recommendation appears in the August 16, 2011 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine and is available on the USPSTF Web site at http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/uspsblad.htm.

9/14/11 Public Comment on Draft Evidence Report: Screening and Treatment for Glaucoma

Through a partnership with the Effective Health Care Program, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is offering an opportunity for public comment on the evidence report on Screening for Glaucoma.

To provide comments on Comparative Effectiveness of Screening for Glaucoma, please go to: http://www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/index.cfm/research-available-for-comment/comment-draft-reports/?pageaction=displaydraftcommentform&topicid=182&productid=780&documenttype=draftReport.

To provide comments on Comparative Effectiveness of Treatment for Glaucoma, please go to: http://www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/index.cfm/research-available-for-comment/comment-draft-reports/?pageaction=displaydraftcommentform&topicid=183&productid=779&documenttype=draftReport.

Comments will be accepted until October 12, 2011.

9/21/11 Evidence Report: Screening for Coronary Heart Disease With Electrocardiography

In order to update its 2004 recommendation, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) commissioned a review to identify and assess any new available evidence on screening for coronary heart disease in asymptomatic adults with resting or exercise electrocardiography (ECG). The review, conducted by the Oregon Evidence-based Practice Center, examined four key questions: 1) whether screening with resting or exercise ECG improves coronary heart disease outcomes; 2) whether identifying high-risk people with resting or exercise ECG affects the use of treatments to reduce cardiovascular events; 3) whether resting or exercise ECG results can be used to accurately classify people into high-, intermediate-, and low-risk groups; and 4) whether there are harms associated with screening with resting or exercise ECG.

The evidence report was published in the September 20 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine and is available on the USPSTF Web site at http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/uspsacad.htm.

The USPSTF is a national, independent panel of nonfederal medical experts that makes recommendations based on scientific evidence to primary care doctors and other health care providers about which clinical preventive services they should offer their patients.

9/27/11 Public Comment on Draft Recommendation: Screening for Coronary Heart Disease With Electrocardiography

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is inviting public comment on its draft recommendation statement on Screening for Coronary Heart Disease with Electrocardiography (ECG). This draft recommendation is an update of the USPSTF 2004 recommendation. The updated draft recommendation focuses on ECG rather than electron-beam computerized tomography, which is addressed separately in another recommendation (Using Nontraditional Risk Factors in Coronary Heart Disease Risk Assessment).

To provide comments, please go to http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/tfcomment.htm. The opportunity to comment on this draft recommendation statement will be available until October 25, 2011.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is a national, independent panel of medical experts that makes recommendations based on scientific evidence to primary care doctors and other health care providers about which clinical prevention services they should offer their patients.

10/04/11 Public Comment on Draft Recommendation: Screening for Hearing Loss in Adults Ages 50 Years and Older

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is inviting public comment on its draft recommendation statement on Screening for Hearing Loss in Adults Ages 50 Years and Older. This is an update of the 1996 USPSTF recommendation. The updated draft recommendation applies to adults ages 50 years and older who show no signs or symptoms of hearing loss. It does not apply to people seeking treatment for hearing problems.

The USPSTF is a national, independent panel of medical experts that makes recommendations based on scientific evidence to primary care doctors and other health care providers about which clinical prevention services they should offer their patients.

10/05/11 Evidence Report: Screening for and Management of Obesity and Overweight in Adults

In order to update its 2003 recommendation, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) commissioned a review to identify and assess any new available evidence on screening for and management of obesity and overweight in adults. The review, conducted by the Oregon Evidence-based Practice Center, examined five key questions: 1) whether primary care screening programs that identify obese or overweight adults improve health or physiological outcomes or result in weight loss; 2) whether weight loss interventions that are feasible or referable in primary care settings improve health outcomes; 3) whether weight loss interventions improve physiological outcomes; 4) whether weight loss interventions result in short-term (12 to 18 months) or long-term (more than 18 months) weight loss; and 5) whether weight loss interventions cause any harms.

The evidence report was published in the October 4 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine and is available on the USPSTF Web site at http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf11/obeseadult/obeseart.htm. The USPSTF used the evidence report to inform its draft recommendation statement on screening for and management of obesity and overweight in adults, which will soon be available for public comment on the USPSTF Web site.

10/12/11 Public Comment on Draft Recommendation: Screening for Prostate Cancer

Earlier this week, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force posted its draft recommendation statement on screening for prostate cancer for public comment. The draft recommendation statement may be viewed at http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/tfcomment.htm. The Task Force encourages interested individuals and organizations to review the draft recommendation statement and provide comments. Comments may be submitted until November 8, 2011.

Task Force members will also be holding a briefing via conference call on its draft recommendation on screening for prostate cancer on Friday, October 14 from 3:00 to 4:00 pm, ET. During this briefing, they will provide an overview of the USPSTF, summarize the systematic review of the evidence, and walk through the draft recommendation statement. They will not be able to respond to questions during the call, but will encourage participants to submit their comments via the Web site. The call will be limited to the first 200 people who respond.

If you are interested in listening to this week's briefing, please RSVP to jburwell@amplifypublicaffairs.net by Friday, October 14 at 10:00 am, ET and include your name, organization, and email address. An email will be sent the day of the call with the call-in information and materials for the call.

10/19/11 Evidence Report and Public Comment on Draft Recommendation: Screening for Cervical Cancer

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is inviting public comment on its draft recommendation statement on screening for cervical cancer, and holding a briefing via conference call on the same topic.

The draft recommendation statement on screening for cervical cancer is an update of the 2003 USPSTF recommendation. To provide comments, please go to http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/tfcomment.htm. The opportunity to comment on this draft recommendation statement will be available until November 16. The evidence report was published in the October 18 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine and is available on the USPSTF Web site at http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf11/cervcancer/cervcancerupd.htm.

Task Force members will also hold a briefing via conference call on its draft recommendation on screening for cervical cancer on Friday, October 21 from 12:00 to 1:00 pm, ET. During this briefing, they will provide an overview of the USPSTF, summarize the systematic review of the evidence, and walk through the draft recommendation statement. They will not be able to respond to questions during the call, but will encourage participants to submit their comments via the Web site. The call will be limited to the first 200 people who respond.

If you are interested in listening to this week's briefing, please RSVP to jburwell@amplifypublicaffairs.net by Friday, October 21 at 8:00 am, ET and include your name, organization, and email address. An email will be sent the day of the call with the call-in information and materials for the call.

10/26/11 Public Comment on Draft Recommendation: Screening and Management of Obesity in Adults

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is inviting public comment on its draft recommendation statement on screening and management of obesity in adults. The draft recommendation statement on screening and management of obesity in adults is an update of the 2003 USPSTF recommendation. To provide comments, please go to http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/tfcomment.htm. The evidence report that informed the draft recommendation was published in the October 4 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine and is available on the USPSTF Web site at http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf11/obeseadult/obeseart.htm. The opportunity to comment on this draft recommendation statement will be available until November 23.

10/28/11 USPSTF First Annual Report to Congress on High-Priority Evidence Gaps for Clinical Preventive Services

Each year, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) works to fulfill its mission of making evidence-based recommendations on clinical preventive services to empower health care professionals, health care systems, and the American people to make informed decisions about their health and health care. The Task Force makes its recommendations based on comprehensive, systematic reviews and careful assessment of the available medical evidence. Despite these efforts, the USPSTF is not always able to provide recommendations on topics of critical importance due to a lack of available evidence.

In its “First Annual Report to Congress on High-Priority Evidence Gaps for Clinical Preventive Services,” the USPSTF highlights 11 high-priority clinical preventive services that the USPSTF believes deserve further examination, with the hope that it will assist public and private researchers and research funders in targeting their efforts. Additionally, the Report includes an overview of the USPSTF, its methods, and processes.

Concurrent with the release of the USPSTF's report, the Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) issued its first Report to Congress. The work of the USPSTF complements that of the CPSTF, which makes recommendations to identify programs, services, and policies proven effective in communities, worksites, schools, and local governments. The CPSTF report provides background on the CPSTF, its methods, findings, and recommendations, and describes both gaps in existing research on community preventive services and priorities for future Task Force efforts.

Taken together, the recommendations of the two Task Forces provide our nation with the knowledge of how health is improved by prevention in both clinical and community settings. The two reports were submitted to Congress together on October 27, 2011 to demonstrate the close collaboration of the two Task Forces, and to provide a full picture of our nation's prevention research needs.

Please click here http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/annlrpt/tfannrpt2011.pdf to read the complete USPSTF report. You may access the CPSTF report via the USPSTF Web site at: http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/about.htm.

11/09/11 Public Comment on Draft Recommendation: Counseling to Prevent Skin Cancer

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is inviting public comment on its draft recommendation statement on behavioral counseling to prevent skin cancer. This is an update of its 2003 recommendation statement. The updated draft statement recommends that primary care clinicians counsel children, adolescents, and young adults aged 10 to 24 years about minimizing exposure to ultraviolet radiation to prevent skin cancer. This recommendation applies to young people, who are at increased risk for skin cancer, especially fair-skinned individuals (who freckle and sunburn easily). The draft recommendation also states that for adults over the age of 24 years, there is not enough evidence to assess the balance of benefits and harms of counseling to prevent skin cancer

To view the recommendation and provide comments, please go to http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/tfcomment.htm. The opportunity to comment on this draft recommendation statement will be available until December 6, 2011.

11/30/11 Public Comment on Draft Recommendation Statements: Screening for Coronary Heart Disease, Hearing Loss, and Prostate Cancer

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) discovered technical issues with its Web site that resulted in the loss of a portion of the public comments submitted electronically for its recent draft recommendation statements on screening for coronary heart disease, hearing loss, and prostate cancer.

Comments submitted were affected as follows:

For screening for coronary heart disease with electrocardiography: comments submitted between September 27 and October 11, 2011.
For screening for hearing loss in older adults: comments submitted between October 4 and October 11, 2011.
For screening for prostate cancer: comments submitted on October 11, 2011 before the late afternoon.

Individuals who submitted comments electronically during these periods received messages confirming their comments were submitted even though the USPSTF was not receiving them.

While this technical issue was immediately resolved and many public comments on all of these topics have been received, the Task Force wants to ensure that anyone who submitted comments that may have been lost has the opportunity to send them. To this end, the public comment period for these three topics will be reopened from November 30 to December 13.

The USPSTF regrets this inconvenience, but believes it is most important to allow everyone's voice to be heard. The Task Force will carefully review all comments from the public it receives and will use them to craft its final recommendation statements.

12/12/11 Public Comment on Draft Research Plan: Screening for Peripheral Artery Disease

On December 15, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) will post the draft Research Plan on screening for peripheral artery disease for public comment. The Research Plan, once finalized, will guide the systematic evidence review that the USPSTF will use to update its recommendation on this important topic. The USPSTF wants to ensure that it frames the questions correctly at the beginning of the recommendation making process, so that the final recommendation is the most valid, reliable, and useful in the end. Beginning on December 15, you will be able to view the draft Research Plan and provide your feedback to the USPSTF at www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/tfcomment.htm.

Additionally, the USPSTF will host a Webinar to discuss the draft Research Plan on screening for peripheral artery disease on Thursday, December 15 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., ET. A member of the USPSTF will provide an overview of the Task Force and its recommendation process, will walk listeners through the draft Research Plan on how the Task Force plans to frame the evidence review on screening for peripheral artery disease, and will also provide instructions for submitting feedback and comments on this draft document. This Webinar is limited to the first 200 people who respond.

If you are interested in participating, please RSVP to rsvp@uspstf.net by Wednesday, December 14 at 12:00 p.m., ET, and include your name, organization, phone number, and email address. An email will be sent the day of the Webinar with the login information.

Top of Page

2010 Announcements

January 2010

1/22/10 Final Recommendation Statement: Screening for Obesity in Children and Adolescents

February 2010

No announcements were sent this month

March 2010

3/01/10 Public Comment on Key Questions of the Evidence: Screening for Chronic Kidney Disease in Adults

April 2010

4/02/10 Public Comment on Methodology: Identifying Research Priorities for Clinical Preventive Services
4/15/10 Introducing the myhealthfinder Widget
4/26/10 Public Comment on Key Questions of the Evidence: Screening and Treatment of Glaucoma

May 2010

No announcements were sent this month

June 2010

No announcements were sent this month

July 2010

7/08/10 Public Comment on Draft Recommendation: Screening for Osteoporosis
7/19/10 Introducing the electronic Preventive Services Selector Widget

August 2010

8/05/10 Solicitation of New Topic Nominations for USPSTF
8/17/10 Public Comment on Draft Recommendation: Ocular Prophylaxis for Gonococcal Ophthalmia Neonatorum
8/31/10 Solicitation of Nominations for USPSTF Members

September 2010

9/21/10 Public Comment on Draft Recommendation: Screening for Testicular Cancer

October 2010

No announcements were sent this month

November 2010

11/30/10 Public Comment on Draft Recommendation: Screening for Bladder Cancer

December 2010

12/16/10 Public Comment on Key Questions of the Evidence: Screening, Counseling, and Interventions to Reduce Unhealthy Alcohol Use

2010 Announcement Details

1/22/10 Final Recommendation Statement: Screening for Obesity in Children and Adolescents

Based on new evidence that children and adolescents can be effectively treated for obesity, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force now recommends that clinicians screen children ages 6 to 18 years for obesity and refer them to programs to improve their weight status. Comprehensive programs included 3 components:

Counseling for weight loss or healthy diet
Counseling for physical activity or a physical activity program
Behavioral management techniques, such as goal setting and self monitoring.

Moderate- to high-intensity programs involve more than 25 hours of contact with the child and/or the family over a 6-month period. Families who seek treatment for obesity should look for comprehensive programs that address weight control through healthy food choices, physical activity, and behavioral skill-building.

The recommendation was released online on January 18. The recommendation will be published in the February issue of Pediatrics and is also available on the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Web site at http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/uspschobes.htm.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is the leading independent panel of experts in prevention and primary care. The Task Force, which is supported by AHRQ, conducts rigorous, impartial assessments of the scientific evidence for the effectiveness of a broad range of clinical preventive services, including screening, counseling, and preventive medications. Its recommendations are considered the gold standard for clinical preventive services.

3/1/10 Public Comment on Key Questions of the Evidence: Screening for Chronic Kidney Disease in Adults

Through a partnership with the Effective Health Care Program, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is offering an opportunity for public comment on the key questions of the evidence on Screening for Chronic Kidney Disease. To provide comments, go to http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/index.cfm/research-available-for-comment/comment-key-questions/?pageaction=displayquestions&topicid=163&questionset=113 and select "Comparative Effectiveness Screening, Monitoring, and Treatment of Early Chronic Kidney Disease in Adults."

4/2/10 Public Comment on Methodology: Identifying Research Priorities for Clinical Preventive Services

In the interest of encouraging research on topics that have critical evidence gaps and for which the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has issued a statement of ”insufficient evidence” (known as an “I Statement”), the Task Force and AHRQ are working together to establish priorities for research in the area of clinical preventive services. A working group has recently established draft methods for this process, and AHRQ is now offering an opportunity for public comment on the draft methodology. To provide comments, please go to http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/tfcomment.htm and follow the directions for submitting comments. The public comment period is open until May 14, 2010.

Additional information about the evidence-based recommendations of the Task Force and AHRQ's work to improve the delivery of effective clinical preventive services is available at: www.preventiveservices.ahrq.gov.

4/15/10 Introducing the myhealthfinder Widget

Provide your visitors with free personalized health and wellness information at the click of a button. healthfinder.gov recently launched the myhealthfinder widget. The widget provides screening and prevention recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force based on age, sex, and pregnancy status.

healthfinder.gov also features the Be Active Your Way widget, an interactive quiz that provides physical activity tips and recommendations.

A widget is an online tool that can be easily added to any Web site or blog. Just add the widget to your site, and content will be automatically updated. It's easy, fun, and can be used over and over again.

View both widgets at www.healthfinder.gov/widgets.

healthfinder.gov is a Federal Government Web site offering trusted prevention and wellness resources for consumers. The site features actionable health information and tools presented in an easy-to-use format.

4/26/10 Public Comment on Key Questions of the Evidence: Screening and Treatment of Glaucoma

Through a partnership with the Effective Health Care Program, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is offering an opportunity for public comment on the key questions of the evidence on Screening and Treatment of Glaucoma. To provide comments, go to http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/tfcomment.htm and select "Comparative Effectiveness of Screening for Glaucoma" or "Comparative Effectiveness of Treatment for Glaucoma."

As the USPSTF works to increase the transparency of its methods and processes, additional opportunities for public comment will be available. Information about these opportunities will be posted on http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/.

7/8/10 Public Comment on Draft Recommendation: Screening for Osteoporosis

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is inviting public comment on its draft recommendation statement on Screening for Osteoporosis. To provide comments, please go to http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/tfcomment.htm. The opportunity to comment on this draft recommendations statement is available until August 3, 2010.

The USPSTF is working to make its recommendations clearer and more useful. This is a new step as part of its ongoing effort to keep its work and methods clear to the public it serves.

7/19/10 Introducing the electronic Preventive Services Selector Widget

Access recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) at the click of a button—introducing the electronic Preventive Services Selector Widget!

The electronic Preventive Services Selector (ePSS) is an application designed to help primary care clinicians identify the screening, counseling, and preventive medication services that are appropriate for their patients. The ePSS widget provides easy and free access to these clinical preventive service recommendations from the USPSTF.

A widget is an online tool that can be easily added to any Web site or blog. Embedding a short amount of web-based code will add the widget to your site and content will be automatically updated. It's easy, fun, and can be used over and over again!

You can find out more about the evidence-based recommendations of the USPSTF at www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org and www.epss.ahrq.gov.

8/5/10 Solicitation of New Topic Nominations for USPSTF

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) invites individuals and organizations to nominate primary and secondary prevention topics pertaining to clinical preventive services that they would like the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) to consider for review. For complete information and directions, please review the Federal Registry Notice at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2010-08-05/html/2010-19117.htm.

All topics previously reviewed by the USPSTF are available on its Web site: http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/.

8/17/10 Public Comment on Draft Recommendation: Ocular Prophylaxis for Gonococcal Ophthalmia Neonatorum

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is inviting public comment on its draft recommendation statement on prophylactic ocular topical medication for all newborns for the prevention of gonococcal ophthalmia neonatorum. This draft recommendation is a reaffirmation of the USPSTF's 2005 recommendation in support of prophylactic ocular topical medication for all newborns. To provide comments, please go to http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/tfcomment.htm. The opportunity to comment on this draft recommendations statement is available until September 13, 2010.

The USPSTF is working to make its recommendations clearer and more useful. This is a new step as part of its ongoing effort to keep its work and methods clear to the public it serves.

8/31/10 Solicitation of Nominations for USPSTF Members

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality invites nominations of individuals qualified to serve as members of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). The USPSTF, a standing, independent panel of non-Federal experts that makes evidence-based recommendations to the health care community and the public regarding clinical preventive services, is composed of 16 members, who are appointed to serve staggered 4-year terms. New members are selected each year to replace approximately one fourth of the USPSTF members; that is, those who are completing their appointments.

For complete information, including member duties and qualification requirements, and directions for submitting nominations, please review the Federal Register notice at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-21500.pdf.

9/21/10 Public Comment on Draft Recommendation: Screening for Testicular Cancer

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is inviting public comment on its draft recommendation statement on screening for testicular cancer. This draft recommendation is an update of the USPSTF's 2004 recommendation against screening for testicular cancer in asymptomatic adolescent and adult males. To provide comments, please go to http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/tfcomment.htm. The opportunity to comment on this draft recommendation statement is available until October 19, 2010.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is working to make its recommendations clearer and more useful. This is a new step as part of its ongoing effort to keep its work and methods clear to the public it serves.

11/30/10 Public Comment on Draft Recommendation: Screening for Bladder Cancer

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is inviting public comment on its draft recommendation statement on screening for bladder cancer. This draft recommendation is an update of the USPSTF 2004 recommendation regarding screening for bladder cancer in adults. To provide comments, please go to http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/tfcomment.htm. The opportunity to comment on this draft recommendation statement is available until December 28, 2010.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is working to make its recommendations clearer and more useful. This is part of its ongoing effort to keep its work and methods clear to the public it serves.

12/16/10 Public Comment on Key Questions of the Evidence: Screening, Behavioral Counseling, and Pharmacologic Interventions in Primary Care to Reduce Unhealthy Alcohol Use

Through a partnership with the Effective Health Care Program, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is offering an opportunity for public comment on the key questions of the evidence on screening, behavioral counseling, and pharmacologic interventions in primary care to reduce unhealthy alcohol use. To provide comments, go to http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/index.cfm/research-available-for-comment/ and select "Screening, Behavioral Counseling, and Pharmacologic Interventions in Primary Care to Reduce Unhealthy Alcohol Use."

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Current as of January 2013

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Announcements: Older Notices. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/announcearch.htm.

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Announcements: Older Notices

Contents

2011 Announcements

2011 Announcement Details

1/12/11 Public Comment on Draft Recommendation: Prevention of Falls in Older Adults

1/18/11 Final Recommendation Statement: Screening for Osteoporosis

2/01/11 Final Recommendation Statement: Vision Screening in Children Ages 1 to 5

2/22/11 Public Comment on Draft Recommendation: Behavioral Counseling to Promote a Healthy Diet and Physical Activity in Adults

3/14/11 Appointment of New Members to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

3/22/11 Public Comment on Draft Evidence Report: Screening for and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease

3/28/11 New Content on the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Web Site

4/5/11 Final Recommendation Statement: Screening for Testicular Cancer

7/28/11 Final Recommendation Statement: Ocular Prophylaxis for Gonococcal Ophthalmia Neonatorum

8/16/11 Final Recommendation Statement: Screening for Bladder Cancer

9/14/11 Public Comment on Draft Evidence Report: Screening and Treatment for Glaucoma

9/21/11 Evidence Report: Screening for Coronary Heart Disease With Electrocardiography

9/27/11 Public Comment on Draft Recommendation: Screening for Coronary Heart Disease With Electrocardiography

10/04/11 Public Comment on Draft Recommendation: Screening for Hearing Loss in Adults Ages 50 Years and Older

10/05/11 Evidence Report: Screening for and Management of Obesity and Overweight in Adults

10/12/11 Public Comment on Draft Recommendation: Screening for Prostate Cancer

10/19/11 Evidence Report and Public Comment on Draft Recommendation: Screening for Cervical Cancer

10/26/11 Public Comment on Draft Recommendation: Screening and Management of Obesity in Adults

10/28/11 USPSTF First Annual Report to Congress on High-Priority Evidence Gaps for Clinical Preventive Services

11/09/11 Public Comment on Draft Recommendation: Counseling to Prevent Skin Cancer

11/30/11 Public Comment on Draft Recommendation Statements: Screening for Coronary Heart Disease, Hearing Loss, and Prostate Cancer

12/12/11 Public Comment on Draft Research Plan: Screening for Peripheral Artery Disease

2010 Announcements

2010 Announcement Details

1/22/10 Final Recommendation Statement: Screening for Obesity in Children and Adolescents

3/1/10 Public Comment on Key Questions of the Evidence: Screening for Chronic Kidney Disease in Adults

4/2/10 Public Comment on Methodology: Identifying Research Priorities for Clinical Preventive Services

4/15/10 Introducing the myhealthfinder Widget

4/26/10 Public Comment on Key Questions of the Evidence: Screening and Treatment of Glaucoma

7/8/10 Public Comment on Draft Recommendation: Screening for Osteoporosis

7/19/10 Introducing the electronic Preventive Services Selector Widget

8/5/10 Solicitation of New Topic Nominations for USPSTF

8/17/10 Public Comment on Draft Recommendation: Ocular Prophylaxis for Gonococcal Ophthalmia Neonatorum

8/31/10 Solicitation of Nominations for USPSTF Members

9/21/10 Public Comment on Draft Recommendation: Screening for Testicular Cancer

11/30/10 Public Comment on Draft Recommendation: Screening for Bladder Cancer

12/16/10 Public Comment on Key Questions of the Evidence: Screening, Behavioral Counseling, and Pharmacologic Interventions in Primary Care to Reduce Unhealthy Alcohol Use