APTA National - U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

Each year, APTA seeks to nominate a member to serve on the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF). The USPSTF, an independent body of experts in prevention and evidence-based medicine, works to improve the health of all Americans by making evidence-based recommendations about the effectiveness of clinical preventive services and health promotion. The recommendations made by the USPSTF address clinical preventive services for adults and children, and include screening tests, counseling services, and preventive medications.

APTA Engage is being utilized to identify individuals who are interested in being nominated by APTA to serve on the USPSTF. Potential candidates should have background and expertise in the critical evaluation of research published in peer reviewed literature and in the methods of evidence review; clinical prevention, health promotion, and primary health care; and implementation of evidence-based recommendations in clinical practice, including at the clinician-patient level, practice level, and health system level, and if selected, must be willing and able to represent the physical therapy profession in its entirety.

This is not an APTA-appointed position. When APTA nominates a candidate, the nomination is sent directly to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), which is authorized by the U.S. Congress to convene the USPSTF and to provide ongoing scientific, administrative, and dissemination support to the Task Force. AHRQ is responsible for selecting members and any future communications on appointment status will come directly from AHRQ.

The Task Force’s 16 members serve 4-year terms. Members are nationally recognized experts in prevention, evidence-based medicine, and primary care. Their fields of practice and expertise include behavioral health, family medicine, geriatrics, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and nursing. USPSTF members meet three times a year for 2 days in the Washington, DC area. Members devote approximately 200 hours per year outside of in-person meetings to their USPSTF duties.