What criteria does the USPSTF use to assess new preventive services?

The USPSTF evaluates new preventive services primarily by assessing the balance of benefits versus harms. This criterion is essential because it ensures that any recommended preventive service demonstrates a clear advantage in improving health outcomes when weighed against potential negative effects or risks associated with that service. For example, a screening test may identify a disease early, which is a benefit, but if the test carries significant risks or leads to unnecessary invasive procedures without clear advantages, the overall assessment could be negative.

The focus on benefits and harms is fundamental to the mission of the USPSTF, as it aims to promote evidence-based recommendations that genuinely enhance patient health and wellbeing. This systematic evaluation process is integral to making informed decisions about what preventive services to endorse, ensuring that the health interventions recommended are both safe and effective for the population. Other options, while potentially relevant in certain contexts, do not encapsulate the core principle the USPSTF utilizes for its assessments.