Press Release Date: October 1, 2003
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality today released a revised and expanded booklet for health care consumers called The Pocket Guide to Good Health for Adults. This guide updates the Put Prevention Into Practice program's Personal Health Guide and is based on the most current research-based recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
"The Pocket Guide to Good Health for Adults is an important resource for patients and providers. It tells patients which preventive services they need and when," said AHRQ Director Carolyn Clancy, M.D. "It reminds providers to deliver appropriate preventive services while involving patients directly in their preventive care."
The Pocket Guide, available in English and Spanish, includes tips and recommendations on good health habits, screening tests, and immunizations. It provides easy-to-use charts to help track personal health information and includes questions to ask health care providers, as well as resources to contact for additional information.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, sponsored by AHRQ, is the leading independent panel of experts in prevention and primary care. The Task Force conducts rigorous, impartial assessments of all of the scientific evidence for a broad range of preventive services, and its recommendations are considered the gold standard for clinical prevention. The Put Prevention Into Practice program is designed to increase the appropriate use of clinical preventive services. PPIP tools enable physicians and other health care providers to determine which services their patients should receive and how best to deliver them. These tools also make it easier for patients to understand and keep track of their preventive care. A complete listing of Task Force recommendations and PPIP resources can be found at http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/prevenix.htm.
The new Pocket Guide to Good Health for Adults is available on the AHRQ Web site in English at http://www.ahrq.gov/ppip/adguide/ and in Spanish at http://www.ahrq.gov/ppip/spadguide/. Copies of this publication and related materials are available from the AHRQ Publications Clearinghouse by calling (800) 358-9295 or sending an E-mail to AHRQPubs@ahrq.hhs.gov. Clinical information also is available from the National Guideline Clearinghouse™ at http://www.guideline.gov.
For more information, please contact AHRQ Public Affairs: (301) 427-1364.
Internet Citation:
AHRQ Announces Expanded Resource to Help Adults Stay Healthy. Press Release, October 1, 2003. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/news/press/pr2003/ppipadpr.htm