Family Medicine

A new edition of the Guide to Clinical Preventive Services from the US Preventive Services Task Force has been released and is of great value to family physicians.1 The Guide provides authoritative evaluation oft he scientific evidence for interventions to prevent many of the most important causes of disease and death in our patients. The 1045-page report makes recommendations on screening, counseling, and immunizations, with 70 chapters, each covering a different intervention. Five tables on 6x8-in cards, which summarize recommendations for young children, teenagers, adults younger than 65 years, adults aged 65 years and older, and pregnant women, are provided. The guidelines highlight screening that has been shown to make a difference and save physicians and patients the time, risks, and cost of unnecessary screening procedures. The Guide will be an essential resource in family medicine for years to come.