Child Health Resources

AHRQ continually reviews and updates our prevention materials to provide the most current information on preventive services and primary care topics, including child health. Please browse the links below to find helpful information on child health topics that are of interest to you.

As part of its work to improve the quality of health care, AHRQ supports the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). The USPSTF examines the scientific evidence and makes recommendations—considered the "gold standard"—on services that can help people maintain their health. These services, called clinical preventive services, include screening for diseases or risk factors, counseling, and preventive medicines. Select http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/cps3dix.htm#pediatric to access the USPSTF recommendations for children's health.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has compiled a list of resources for children and families from sources other than the USPSTF. These links have been reviewed carefully by HHS. Some of the recommendations on the various Web sites have been developed using different methods than the USPSTF uses. For example, some recommendations are based on expert opinion rather than on reviews of scientific evidence. This means that different groups might make different recommendations about the same health topic. Select http://www.hhs.gov/children/index.html to access the HHS Families & Children page.

This information is not a substitute for health care for your child. Talk with your child's health care provider to make sure that your child is getting the most appropriate care, especially if you have questions about the information or concerns about your child's health. Select http://www.ahrq.gov/questionsaretheanswer/index.html to access "Questions are the Answer" for ideas on talking with health care providers. 

May 2008