Abt Continues Scientific Support Services to National Prevention Task Force
Every day across America, physicians, nurses and other providers care for millions of people through a variety of screening and treatment services. Not surprisingly, it can be challenging for clinicians to keep up with the latest evidence and published literature on new screening and treatment recommendations. To provide this needed guidance, the U.S. Prevention Service Task Force (USPSTF or Task Force) reviews the latest evidence on clinical preventive health issues, including screening services, each year.
Abt Global will support the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force under a new $4.5 million contract through the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). The new contract extends Abt’s current work with the USPSTF for up to five years.
“The U.S. Prevention Service Task Force affects the health of all Americans. Clinicians across the country rely on the Task Force’s reviews of evidence-based science and their best recommendations for prevention services,” said Chris Spera, Ph.D., U.S. Health Division Vice President. “AHRQ’s selection of Abt to continue this work speaks to the trusted relationships our team has established and the rigor we bring to the project.”
For over 30 years, the USPSTF has set the gold standard for rigorous use of evidence in clinical prevention recommendations. With the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), many insurance plans are required to cover USPSTF grade A and B recommendations.
Along with subcontractor Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Abt will serve as the Scientific Resource Center (SRC) for the USPSTF and AHRQ. As the USPSTF SRC, Abt and its partner will provide scientific, methodological and administrative support.
Prior tasks with the USPSTF have included an update to its conflict of interest policy, and its procedure manual, among others. Abt has also provided methodological support to the USPSTF, including hosting two expert forums on behavioral counseling interventions and child health as well as facilitating and contributing to a special issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine on Behavioral Counseling Interventions.
“We are thrilled to continue supporting the Task Force and AHRQ,” said Meghan Woo, Sc.D., project director. “Their efforts to improve methods and keep processes transparent are helping to ensure that the clinical decisions providers make each day are guided by the best science, and patients get the right preventive services at the right time.”
Learn more about Abt’s work in U.S. Health.
