What is preventive health care?

This is any medical treatment, test, or behavior to try to prevent a health problem before it happens.

Some of the most important steps you can take are listed below.

• Lead a healthy lifestyle – People don't usually think of lifestyle changes as a form of "treatment." But some lifestyle changes can be as effective as medicines for preventing health problems. If you have healthy habits, you might be less likely to develop many health problems than people who do not have these habits.

  A healthy lifestyle includes:

  • Getting plenty of physical activity

  • Eating healthy foods

  • Keeping a healthy body weight

  • Avoiding or limiting alcohol

  • Avoiding smoking

• See your doctor or nurse regularly – During each visit, they will talk to you about your physical and mental health, do an exam, and review your medicines. They will also:

  • Ask about your habits and behaviors

  • Ask about your family's medical history – This can help tell them if you are at a higher risk of developing certain health problems, such as diabetes or cancer.

  • Do some routine checks, like measuring your weight and blood pressure, to help keep track of your health

  • Recommend screening tests and vaccines based on your age, sex, and situation

• Get dental exams – Most people should see a dentist 1 to 2 times a year for a cleaning and check-up. This can help keep teeth and gums healthy. The dentist can also find problems like cavities and gum disease early, when they are easier to treat.

• Get eye exams – Everyone should have an eye exam every 5 to 10 years before age 40. People who have vision problems or wear glasses or contacts might need to have their eyes checked more often. During an eye exam, the doctor also looks inside your eyes to check for problems.

What are screening tests?

These are tests that check for early signs of a disease before the disease causes symptoms or problems. Screening tests might check your future risk of having a medical problem. Many check for cancer, but there are other screening tests, too.

All people should get some screening tests. But you might need other tests based on your sex or age. When to start screening and how often to screen often depend on your situation and "risk factors." Risk factors are things that affect how likely you are to get a disease or other health problem.

Screening tests that are often recommended based on your age include:

• Blood pressure checks – Most people need to have their blood pressure checked at least every 3 to 5 years. You might need more frequent checks if you:

  • Have or are at risk for conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease

  • Have excess body weight

  • Have family members with high blood pressure

  • Had high blood pressure while pregnant

• Cholesterol screening – Cholesterol is a substance in the blood called a "lipid." Lipids are types of fats. High levels of lipids can increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, and other health problems.

• Diabetes or prediabetes screening – Diabetes is a disorder that disrupts how the body uses sugar. People at increased risk of diabetes typically need diabetes screening every 3 years starting at age 35. You might need more frequent checks if your test results are abnormal.

• Screening for depression and anxiety – Most people should be screened for depression and anxiety. This is important because it can help doctors and nurses figure out who might need help. Depression and anxiety can be treated.

• Counseling on lifestyle-related topics – These include smoking, weight management, healthy eating, alcohol and tobacco use, and intimate partner violence. Screening for these problems can help doctors and nurses find potential risks early.

You need some screening tests at least once in your life, and maybe more often depending on your lifestyle and health history. This includes screening for:

• Hepatitis B

• Hepatitis C

• HIV

You might get other screening tests based on your situation. For example, if you are pregnant or have any new sex partners, your doctor might recommend screening for sexually transmitted infections.

Females might also need:

• Screening for chlamydia – Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection. All females younger than 25 years old who are sexually active should be screened for chlamydia. Females 25 years and older should also be screened if they are at increased risk for chlamydia. The infection usually does not cause symptoms in females, but it can cause infertility if it is not treated.

• Cervical cancer screening – Doctors can use a few tests to find cervical cancer and precancer in the early stages, when it can be treated or even cured. You might need this screening every 3 to 5 years.

• Extra tests or care if pregnant – Doctors might check your blood type, recommend vitamins like folic acid, and screen for sexually transmitted infections during pregnancy.

What are vaccines?

These are shots ("injections") that help protect you from certain infections. Your doctor or nurse can talk to you about which vaccines you should get and when.

Experts recommend people ages 18 to 39 get:

• The flu vaccine once a year

• Vaccines to prevent COVID-19

• A tetanus-diphtheria ("Td") vaccine booster, probably once every 10 years. (A "booster" is a vaccine dose you get some time after the first dose. It reminds your body how to prevent an infection.) Some experts think it's OK to get Td boosters less often.

• A human papillomavirus ("HPV") vaccine – Most doctors recommend people get this between the age of 9 and 26. The younger a person is, the better the vaccine works.

• Vaccines to prevent meningococcal meningitis – Meningococcal meningitis is a bacterial infection. Many people need a vaccine to prevent it. Most teens get the vaccine between ages 11 and 18. Many people should also get a second type of the vaccine between ages 16 and 23.

• Other vaccines if they didn't get them as children