Scope and Target Population:
To provide a comprehensive approach to the provision of preventive services, counseling, education, and disease screening for average-risk, asymptomatic adults age 18 and over. This guideline generally does not address the needs of:

• pregnant women
  
• individuals with chronic disorders
  
• high-risk populations (there are occasional exceptions where noted)

This guideline targets asymptomatic adults seeking health care who would benefit from preventive services. This resource is intended to assist in the prioritization of screening maneuvers, tests and counseling opportunities. It is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition. Consequently, once a health issue or condition has been uncovered, other guidelines (such as the Lipid Management in Adults guideline or Hypertension Diagnosis and Treatment guideline) will take precedence during any further diagnosis and management.

Clinical Highlights and Recommendations:

• All clinic visits – whether acute, chronic or for preventive services – are opportunities for prevention. Incorporate appropriate preventive services at every opportunity.
  
• Assess patients for risk factors at periodic intervals.
  
• Address or initiate adult preventive services that providers and care systems must deliver (based on best evidence). (Level I)
  - Aspirin chemoprophylaxis counseling
  - Breast cancer screening
  - Calcium chemoprophylaxis counseling
  - Cervical cancer screening
  - Chlamydia screening
  - Colorectal cancer screening
  - Hypertension screening
  - Influenza immunization
  - Lipid screening
  - Pneumococcal immunization
  - Problem drinking screening and brief counseling
  - Tobacco use screening and brief intervention
  - Vision screening

Priority Aims:

1. Increase regular use of health-risk assessments.
   
2. Increase the percentage of patients with all Level I preventive services on time. (See Table 1: Preventive Services That Providers and Care Systems Must Deliver (Based on Best Evidence).

Additional Background:
The guideline was developed using an evidence-based approach, which emphasizes the critical evaluation of scientific evidence, rather than expert opinion or consensus. The guideline also identifies those services that should not be included in light of similarly strong evidence.