Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

ARK
AHRQ Logo
Agency overview
Formed	1989; 35 years ago (1989)
Preceding agencies	National Center for Health Services Research and Development (1968–1973) Bureau of Health Services Research (1973–1975) National Center for Health Services Research (1975–1985) National Center for Health Services Research and Health Care Technology Assessment (1985–1989) Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (1989–1999)
Jurisdiction	Federal government of the United States
Headquarters	5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland
Employees	1,996
Annual budget	US$10.5 billion (2016)
Agency executives	Robert Otto Valdez, Director Dr. David Meyers, Deputy Director
Parent department	United States Department of Health and Human Services
Parent agency	United States Public Health Service
Website	www.ahrq.gov

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality^[1] (AHRQ; pronounced "ark" by initiates and often "A-H-R-Q" by the public) is one of twelve agencies within the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).^[2] The agency is headquartered in North Bethesda, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C. (with a Rockville mailing address). It was established as the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) in 1989 as a constituent unit of the Public Health Service (PHS) to enhance the quality, appropriateness, and effectiveness of health care services and access to care by conducting and supporting research, demonstration projects, and evaluations; developing guidelines; and disseminating information on health care services and delivery systems.