Browse Information for Consumers

Getting the best health care means making smart decisions about preventive services. Preventive services, such as screening tests, counseling services, and preventive medicines, are tests or treatments that your doctor or others provide to prevent illnesses before they cause you symptoms or problems. To help doctors and patients decide together whether a preventive service is right for a person’s needs, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force develops recommendations based on a review of high-quality scientific evidence, and publishes its recommendations on its Web site and/or in a peer-reviewed journal.

The goal of these recommendations is not only to offer guidance to doctors, nurses and other primary care professionals, but to provide patients and their families with the most accurate and up-to-date information on ways to prevent illness and improve health and well-being.

On this page you will find easy-to-understand information on the Task Force and on health topics for which the Task Force has released a recommendation. These materials include guides, fact sheets, slideshows, and videos available for view and download. You can sort the table by document title, type of material, or recommendation title, or simply browse using the search function. These materials are designed to inform people about Task Force recommendations and are not intended to replace advice from a health professional.

Showing Educational Information for Consumers

Title Source Type Relevant Recommendation(s)
"How to Quit" Patient Resources Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Resource List Lung Cancer: Screening
Aspirin Use for the Prevention of Morbidity and Mortality From Preeclampsia (Consumer Guide): Draft Recommendation U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Guide Aspirin Use to Prevent Preeclampsia and Related Morbidity and Mortality: Preventive Medication
Aspirin Use for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Colorectal Cancer: Consumer Guide U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Guide Aspirin Use to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease and Colorectal Cancer: Preventive Medication
Autism Spectrum Disorder (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Resource List Autism Spectrum Disorder in Young Children: Screening
Autism Spectrum Disorder (MedlinePlus) National Library of Medicine Resource List Autism Spectrum Disorder in Young Children: Screening
Background Information U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Article Breast Cancer: Screening
Behavioral Counseling to Prevent Sexually Transmitted Infections: Consumer Guide U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Guide Sexually Transmitted Infections: Behavioral Counseling
Behavioral Counseling to Prevent Skin Cancer: Consumer Guide U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Guide Skin Cancer: Counseling, 2012
Behavioral Counseling to Promote a Healthful Diet and Physical Activity in Adults With Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Consumer Guide U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Guide Healthful Diet and Physical Activity for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Adults With Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Behavioral Counseling
Behavioral Counseling to Promote a Healthful Diet and Physical Activity in Adults Without Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Consumer Guide U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Guide Healthful Diet and Physical Activity for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Adults: Behavioral Counseling, 2012
Behavioral Interventions to Reduce Illicit Drug and Nonmedical Pharmaceutical Use in Children and Adolescents: Consumer Guide U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Guide Drug Use, Illicit: Primary Care Interventions for Children and Adolescents
Behavioral and Pharmacotherapy Interventions for Tobacco Smoking Cessation in Adults, Including Pregnant Women: Consumer Guide U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Guide Tobacco Smoking Cessation in Adults, Including Pregnant Women: Behavioral and Pharmacotherapy Interventions
Colorectal Cancer Screening (PDQ)--Patient Version National Cancer Institute Guide Colorectal Cancer: Screening
Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guide Colorectal Cancer: Screening
Consumer Guide U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Guide Breast Cancer: Screening
Diabetes: CDC Website Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Tool Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes: Screening
Frequently Asked Questions U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Article Breast Cancer: Screening
Get the Facts U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Article Breast Cancer: Screening
How to Measure Your Blood Pressure CDC Article Hypertension in Adults: Screening
Is Prostate Cancer Screening Right for You? U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Guide Prostate Cancer: Screening
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