The PCORTF Mission, Vision, and Goal

AHRQ's PCORTF mission reflects activities mandated by Congress in the PCORTF authorizing language. The mission provides the “how” for making progress towards the Agency’s vision. AHRQ has already built a strong foundation in dissemination and implementation (D&I), clinical decision support (CDS), and training. AHRQ will continue to innovate in its D&I activities to achieve equitable, whole-person care.

The vision defines AHRQ’s highest-level aspiration. This vision drives the mission, the specific goals that make progress towards the mission, and the priority areas of the framework. It explains why the work is being done and provides the ultimate definition of success. AHRQ’s definition of equitable care includes a deliberate focus on understanding and addressing factors at multiple levels of influence, including community and social context. The National Academy of Medicine, in Achieving Whole Health: A New Approach for Veterans and the Nation, defines whole-person health as “physical, behavioral, spiritual, and socioeconomic well-being as defined by individuals, families, and communities.” Likewise, whole-person care is aligned with a person's life mission, aspiration, and purpose. It shifts the focus from a reactive disease-oriented medical care system to one that prioritizes disease prevention, health, and well-being.” [cite NAM Report]

AHRQ’s goal will guide PCORTF funding decisions and influence the design and evaluation of projects to improve health outcomes in AHRQ’s priority populations. The specific care characteristics (i.e., safe, affordable, evidence-based, integrated, coordinated, team-based, patient-centered care, focused on underserved populations) detailed in this goal will shape the metrics that AHRQ will use to evaluate how successful the Agency has been in achieving its mission and vision.

Since 1999, AHRQ priority populations have included children/adolescents, the elderly, low-income populations, racial/ethnic minorities, rural/inner-city residents, populations with special healthcare needs, and women. In 2021, AHRQ expanded the definition of priority populations to include individuals that were identified by Executive Order as members of underserved communities. This includes Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality. See AHRQ’s website for more information on its priority populations.