Introduction: The Korea Preventive Service Task Force (KPSTF) is an independent and nonpartisan panel of public health and disease prevention experts. The Task Force was established this year by the Director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC). The objective of the KPSTF is to provide support to the decision makers by identifying programs, services, and policies that can be carried out in communities and healthcare facilities to lift the burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD), increase longevity, and improve quality of life. The KPSTF shall make recommendations based on rigorous review of existing projects and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of services based on factors such as age, sex and diseases. This Task Force is composed of its committees, working group with the staff of the KCDC, and an Evidence Practice Center (EPC). This committee shall not conduct research activities, but shall review the final report sent to the research team in order to identify vital research areas. The National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency (NECA) has taken on the role of EPC this year. NECA is the national research agency that was established to provide authentic and quality information about medical devices, medicines, and health technology through objective and reliable analysis. The EPC has reviewed evidences regarding public health guidelines through systematic review.
Current status: This year’s research topic is ‘What are the interventions that may prevent Type 2 diabetes among high-risk persons’ and ‘Do mass media campaigns promote smoking cessation and prevent initiation of cigarette smoking.
Future perspective: KPSTF will confirm next year's recommended topics.
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