Enhancing Coordination Among the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and National Institutes of Health.

Abstract

This paper focuses on the relationships among the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF); Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ); and NIH. After a brief description of the Task Force, AHRQ, NIH, and an example of how they interact, we describe the steps that have been taken recently by NIH to enhance their coordination. We also discuss several challenges that remain and consider potential remedies that NIH, AHRQ, and investigators can take to provide the USPSTF with the data it needs to make recommendations, particularly those pertaining to behavioral interventions.