Approaches to Evidence Synthesis in Systematic Reviews of Public Health Interventions Methods and Experiences of the Community Preventive Services Task Force

Established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 1996, the Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) develops guidance on community-based health promotion and disease prevention interventions. It issues findings based on systematic reviews of effectiveness and economic utility that are conducted with a methodology developed by the Community Guide Branch at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CPSTF is open to considering a broad range of study designs, comparisons, and outcomes.

This webinar will focus on:

• The conceptual decisions to emphasize a broad consideration of available evidence for reviews of public health interventions
• The methods required to ensure a balanced assessment of mixed bodies of evidence
• Factors weighed by the CPSTF in translating evidence into conclusions on effectiveness and recommendations regarding use.

How are Community Guide reviews and methods different from systematic reviews in informing clinical care decisions? What differences arise within the range of public health topics considered by the CPSTF? This presentation will also describe Community Guide methods, process steps, and experiences with systematic reviews of available economic evidence.

Registration for this webinar is required. Visit the NIH website to learn more and to register. This session will be recorded and later available online.