Abstract
When the Medicare Act of 1965 was signed into law, the US Government became a public provider of health insurance. Since then, the government has invested in research to understand the structure, process, and effects of health services through health services research. Today, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is the federal agency that conducts health services research that is used by patients; physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers; health systems and hospitals; public health professionals; federal, state, and local policymakers; and purchasers and payers of health services. AHRQ also supports a nongovernmental panel known as the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) whose recommendations focus on evaluating the risks and benefits of clinical preventive services. Not unlike the US Food and Drug Administration and the US Department of Agriculture relationship to the nongovernmental Dietary Guidelines for Americans Committee seeking to improve the nutritional health of Americans through specific recommendations, AHRQ resources and USPSTF recommendations can be useful for nutrition and dietetics professionals. Licensed registered dietitians and nutritionists can find and use these AHRQ and USPSTF resources and recommendations to support their worksite, professional development, and advocacy goals. Key resources are highlighted, and information is provided for access to them as well as how to provide comment during their development.