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    • Topic

    Health Maintenance and Counseling

    This collection features the best content from AFP, as identified by the AFP editors, on health maintenance and counseling and related issues, including dietary and nutrition guidelines, health maintenance in children, lifestyle counseling, and physical activity. New research may affect the interpretation and application of this material. Clinical judgment is advised. Note that AFP content published within the past two years is accessible to AAFP members and paid subscribers only. Note: See separate topic collection on Nutrition. Note: See the Adult Preventive Health Care Schedule of Recommendations from the USPSTF.
    Categories

    Adults

    Children and Adolescents

    Editorials and Letters

    Patient Education, Self-Care

    Overview

    Other AFP Content

    Adults
    Jul 15, 2025 — Dialectical Behavior Therapy: A Brief Counseling Skill for Clinical Practice [Curbside Consultation]
    May 15, 2025 — Health Maintenance in Postmenopausal Women   CME
    May 15, 2024 — Firearm Injury Prevention: Practical Office Tips [Curbside Consultation]
    May 15, 2023 — Effectiveness of Telehealth for Women's Preventive Services [Implementing AHRQ Effective Health Care Reviews]
    Oct 15, 2022 — Behavioral Counseling Interventions to Promote a Healthy Diet and Physical Activity for CVD Prevention in Adults Without CVD Risk Factors [U.S. Preventive Services Task Force]
    Oct 15, 2022 — Behavioral Counseling Interventions to Promote a Healthy Diet and Physical Activity for CVD Prevention in Adults Without CVD Risk Factors [Putting Prevention Into Practice]
    Aug 15, 2021 — Care of the College Student
    Feb 15, 2021 — Health Maintenance for Women of Reproductive Age
    Dec 01, 2019 — General Health Checks in Adults for Reducing Disease-Related Morbidity and Mortality [Cochrane for Clinicians]
    May 15, 2019 — Screening for Intimate Partner Violence, Elder Abuse, and Abuse of Vulnerable Adults: Recommendation Statement [U.S. Preventive Services Task Force]
    May 15, 2019 — Screening for Intimate Partner Violence, Elder Abuse, and Abuse of Vulnerable Adults [Putting Prevention Into Practice]
    Dec 15, 2018 — The Adult Well-Male Examination   PtEd
    Aug 15, 2017 — Screening for Gynecologic Conditions with Pelvic Examination: Recommendation Statement [U.S. Preventive Services Task Force]
    Aug 15, 2017 — Screening for Gynecologic Conditions with Pelvic Examination [Putting Prevention Into Practice]   Tool
    May 01, 2015 — Behavioral Counseling to Promote a Healthful Diet and Physical Activity for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Adults with Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Recommendation Statement [U.S. Preventive Services Task Force]
    Feb 15, 2014 — Screening for Chronic Kidney Disease: Recommendation Statement [U.S. Preventive Services Task Force]
    Jun 15, 2013 — Behavioral Counseling Interventions to Promote a Healthful Diet and Physical Activity for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Adults [Putting Prevention Into Practice]
    Jan 01, 2013 — Health Maintenance in Women   PtEd
    Jul 15, 2008 — Geriatric Screening and Preventive Care
    Apr 15, 2008 — Physical Activity Counseling   PtEd
    Jan 15, 2006 — Nutritional Assessment and Counseling for Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease   PtEd
    May 15, 2004 — Routine Screening for Depression, Alcohol Problems, and Domestic Violence [Point-of-Care Guides]   POC
    Children and Adolescents
    Nov 15, 2025 — Reducing Early Childhood Caries Through Caregiver-Targeted Interventions [Cochrane for Clinicians]   CME
    Jul 15, 2025 — Approach to Developmental Screening and Surveillance in Young Children   CME   Alg
    Jan 15, 2025 — Early Childhood Concerns: Counseling on Sleep Issues, Thumb-Sucking, Picky Eating, School Readiness, and Oral Health   CME
    Nov 15, 2024 — Mindfulness-Enhanced Parenting Programs Improve the Psychosocial Outcomes of Children up to 18 Years and Their Parents [Cochrane for Clinicians]   CME
    Jun 15, 2024 — Primary Care Interventions to Prevent Child Maltreatment [U.S. Preventive Services Task Force]   FREE
    Apr 15, 2024 — Screening for Speech and Language Delay and Disorders in Children [U.S. Preventive Services Task Force]   FREE
    Aug 15, 2023 — Speech and Language Delay in Children   Alg   PtEd
    Oct 01, 2020 — Prevention of Unintentional Childhood Injury   Alg   PtEd
    Feb 01, 2020 — Screening and Counseling Adolescents and Young Adults: A Framework for Comprehensive Care   Alg   POC
    Oct 15, 2019 — Screening for Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Children and Pregnant Women: Recommendation Statement [U.S. Preventive Services Task Force]
    Oct 15, 2019 — Toilet Training: Common Questions and Answers   PtEd
    Jul 15, 2019 — Interventions to Prevent Child Maltreatment: Recommendation Statement [U.S. Preventive Services Task Force]
    Jul 01, 2019 — Lead Poisoning in Children   PtEd
    Apr 15, 2019 — Child Passenger Safety: AAP Updates Best Practice Recommendations [Practice Guidelines]
    Dec 15, 2018 — School Absenteeism in Children and Adolescents   PtEd
    Sep 15, 2018 — Well-Child Visits for Infants and Young Children
    May 15, 2018 — General Parenting Strategies: Practical Suggestions for Common Child Behavior Issues   PtEd
    Feb 01, 2018 — Childhood Bullying: Implications for Physicians   PtEd
    Dec 15, 2017 — Preventive Pediatric Health Care: Updated Recommendations from the AAP [Practice Guidelines]
    Aug 15, 2016 — AAP Updates Recommendations for Routine Preventive Pediatric Health Care [Practice Guidelines]
    May 01, 2016 — Fluoride Varnish for Preventing Dental Caries in Children and Adolescents [Cochrane for Clinicians]
    May 01, 2016 — Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorder in Young Children: Recommendation Statement [U.S. Preventive Services Task Force]
    Mar 01, 2015 — Primary Care Behavioral Interventions to Reduce Illicit Drug and Nonmedical Pharmaceutical Use in Children and Adolescents: Recommendation Statement [U.S. Preventive Services Task Force]
    Apr 01, 2012 — AAP Releases Clinical Report on the Impact of Social Media on Children, Adolescents, and Families [Practice Guidelines]
    Aug 01, 2005 — Child Safety Seat Counseling: Three Keys to Safety   PtEd
    Editorials and Letters
    Jan 15, 2023 — Caring for Children in Foster or Kinship Care [Editorials]
    Oct 15, 2022 — CDC's Revised Developmental Milestone Checklists [Editorials]
    Sep 15, 2022 — Incorporating Lifestyle Medicine Into Practice: A Prescription for Better Health [Editorials]
    Sep 01, 2020 — Health Equity in Preventive Services: The Role of Primary Care [Editorials]
    May 15, 2020 — Why the Stress-Disease Connection Matters and How to Respond [Editorials]
    May 15, 2019 — What Evidence Do We Need Before Recommending Routine Screening for Social Determinants of Health? [Editorials]
    Aug 01, 2018 — Food Insecurity: How You Can Help Your Patients [Editorials]
    Jun 01, 2017 — Acting on Social Determinants of Health: A Primer for Family Physicians [Editorials]
    Aug 15, 2016 — Increased Alignment in Preventive Services Recommendations for Children [Editorials]
    May 01, 2016 — Introducing a One-Page Adult Preventive Health Care Schedule: USPSTF Recommendations at a Glance [Editorials]
    Aug 01, 2015 — Fluoride: The Family Physician's Role [Editorials]
    Nov 01, 2014 — Primary Care Physicians' Role in Counseling About Gun Safety [Editorials]
    Apr 01, 2013 — New Recommendations on Motor Vehicle Safety for Child Passengers [Editorials]
    Jan 01, 2013 — The Annual Pelvic Examination: Preventive Time Not Well Spent [Editorials]
    Mar 15, 2011 — Improving the Delivery of Preventive Services to Children [Editorials]
    Patient Education, Self-Care
    Aug 15, 2023 — Speech and Language Delay in Children [Information from Your Family Doctor]
    Oct 01, 2020 — Preventing Accidental Injuries in Children [Information from Your Family Doctor]
    Oct 15, 2019 — Toilet Training [Information from Your Family Doctor]
    Jul 01, 2019 — Lead Poisoning in Children   PtEd
    Jul 01, 2019 — Lead Poisoning in Children [Information from Your Family Doctor]   PtEd
    Dec 15, 2018 — School Absences: What You Should Know [Information from Your Family Doctor]
    Jun 01, 2018 — Nutrition: How to Make Healthier Food Choices [Information from Your Family Doctor]   PtEd
    May 15, 2018 — General Parenting Tips [Information from Your Family Doctor]   PtEd
    Jan 01, 2013 — Staying Healthy: Recommendations for Women [Information from Your Family Doctor]   PtEd
    May 15, 2012 — What Men Should Know About Staying Healthy [Information from Your Family Doctor]   PtEd
    Overview
    Jul 01, 2019 — Physical Activity: Updated Recommendations from HHS [Practice Guidelines]
    Dec 15, 2018 — Counseling Patients in Primary Care: Evidence-Based Strategies
    Jun 01, 2018 — Diets for Health: Goals and Guidelines   PtEd
    Feb 01, 2014 — The Impact of Personalized Risk Communication on Screening Decisions [Cochrane for Clinicians]
    Sep 15, 2012 — The Spiritual Assessment
    Aug 01, 2011 — Updated Dietary Guidelines from the USDA and HHS [Practice Guidelines]
    Other AFP Content
    Nov 15, 2007 — Behavioral Change Counseling in the Medical Home [Graham Center Policy One-Pager]
    Jan 01, 2006 — Physicians Who Do Not Follow Screening Guidelines [Curbside Consultation]
    Jun 01, 2004 — Counseling Patients on Mass Media and Health [Medicine and Society]

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