The Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) is a panel of public health and prevention experts appointed by the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Its members represent a broad range of local, state, and national research, practice, and policy expertise in community preventive services, public health, health promotion, and disease prevention.

The 2017 Annual Report to Congress highlights ways CPSTF recommendations can be used to support the readiness and resilience of the United States Armed Forces, improve the health of our military communities, and increase the population of young people who are eligible for service. The report also identifies important evidence gaps that researchers, evaluators, and funders may choose to address, as well as priority areas for future CPSTF work. Particular emphasis is placed on the challenges of obesity, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol use.

When Pentagon decision makers need to know how to prevent diseases and injuries that reduce military readiness and drive up health care costs, Department of Defense (DoD) policy directs them to the Community Preventive Services Task Force. CPSTF findings are the gold standard for what works to improve health and prevent disease and injury in service members, their families, and all Americans. Employers, health systems,
and policy makers also use CPSTF findings to improve the health and well-being of employees, patients, communities, and citizens.