Americans are bombarded by advertising and news about things that supposedly are good for us, but beyond eating less and exercising more, confusion abounds regarding what is worth doing and what is merely wasted money, time and attention. Two new compelling and genuinely authoritative studies go a fair way toward separating helpful advice from all the distracting background noise.

The National Commission on Prevention Priorities, headed by former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher, took a good look at the whole menu of items sold by one group or another as nostrums for long and trouble-free life. (The complete report is available at http://www.prevent .org/content/ view/46/96/)

“The U.S. spends billions on healthcare services of questionable value while basic, evidence-based preventive services are not getting done as often as they should,” the report asserts. “And the consequences of misplaced priorities are high: people die and illnesses worsen because the most important preventive services do not get done. Health outcomes in the U.S. could be improved at less expense if the health care system, clinicians, and patients gave priority to services that were most beneficial and offered the greatest value.”

It is more uncommon than it ought be to have time for a two-way conversation with your doctor. It is all too-common for financially stressed families to forego doctor visits altogether until an emergency arises. This means it’s vital for doctors and patients to both actively manage their limited time together by emphasizing recommendations that have the greatest positive impact.

The top 10 preventative items are:

1. Taking a daily dose of aspirin to prevent heart attacks and stroke in men older than 40 and women older than 50.

2. Childhood immunizations for diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, measles, mumps, chicken pox and other common or dangerous diseases.

3. Tobacco-use screening and brief counseling by doctors.

4. Routine colorectal-cancer screening for adults 50 and older.

5. Screening for high blood pressure with medication if necessary.

6. Annual flu shots for adults 50 and older.

7. Immunization of adults 65 and older against bacteria that cause pneumonia and related diseases.

8. Screening of problem drinkers and brief counseling by doctors.

9. Vision screening for adults 65 and older.

10. Cervical-cancer screening for sexually active women and women older than 21.

At the same time many of us are ignoring these proven strategies for good health, Americans are spending about $23 billion a year on multivitamins and multi-mineral supplements. A 13-member panel convened by the National Institutes of Health said last week there is little evidence all these vitamins provide much bang for the buck.

In only three instances did the NIH panel find that vitamins or other supplements offer a clear protective edge: Folic acid, which since 1998 has been added to food in the U.S. to avoid birth defects; vitamins C and E, beta carotene and the minerals zinc and copper to stave off macular degeneration eye disease in the elderly; and calcium and vitamin D to lower the risk of bone fractures in post-menopausal women.

This isn’t to suggest everyone should stop taking vitamins. They may confer subtle benefits over the long run. But if you are choosing to spend money on supplements instead of going in for a routine checkup every year or two, you aren’t acting wisely.

It’s up to each of us to manage our own health. Armed with this information, make sure you and your loved ones are making good choices.