The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is an agency of the US Department of Health and Human Services. Its mission is to improve the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of health care for all Americans. Information from AHRQ's research aims to help people make more informed decisions and to improve the quality of health care services. AHRQ was formerly known as the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. You can read more about AHRQ at its website: www.ahrq.gov