Adult Preventive Health Recommendations
Healthy adults between 21 and 65 years of age should visit their primary care provider (PCP) every 1 to 3 years. After age 65, adults should see their PCP every year. Talk to your PCP or health care provider about any risk factors that may need more preventive care.
Screenings
- Medical history and physical exam.
- Height and weight measurements (including check for obesity).
- Body Mass Index (BMI).
- Hearing and vision tests.
- Blood pressure check.
- Blood cholesterol levels — men 35 years of age and older, women 45 and older.
- Colon cancer check (test for hidden blood in the stool and/or colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy or doublecontrast barium enema) — adults 50 years of age and older.
- Mammogram (X-ray to screen for breast cancer) — every year for women 40 years of age and older, with or without breast exam by health care provider.
- Pap smear (cervical cancer screening test) — every year (for women who are sexually active and have a cervix).
- Chlamydia screening (a test for a sexually transmitted disease) — routinely for all sexually active and pregnant women 25 years of age and younger or at high risk (Women should be retested after treatment for this disease).
- Bone density scan (test for osteoporosis or thinning of the bones) — all women 65 years of age and older.
- Signs of problem drinking, family violence and depression.
Immunizations (Shots)
- Flu shot — every year for adults 50 years of age and older or those who have a chronic illness.
- Pneumonia shot — once for adults 65 years of age and older, earlier for persons with a chronic illness (Some people may need a booster after 6 years).
- Tetanus/diptheria shot — every 10 years.
- Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) shot — 1 or 2 doses, for adults up to 50 years of age (Women in childbearing years should talk to their PCP about the right time to receive this shot).
- Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B shots — given to protect high-risk adults from these liver diseases (Ask your PCP if you should receive 1 or both of them).
- Varicella (chicken pox) shot — once for adults who have not had chicken pox.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine — 3 doses for females up to 26 years of age who have not completed the vaccine series (Vaccination is not recommended during pregnancy).
Counseling
- Quitting smoking
- Avoiding alcohol and/or drugs
- Good nutrition
- The importance of safety belts
- Wearing motorcycle, bicycle, skateboard helmets
- Smoke detectors
- Fall prevention
- Safe water heater temperatures
- Sexually transmitted disease prevention
- Unintended pregnancy/birth control
- Regular dental visits/dental care
- Safe storage or removal of firearms
- Physical activity/fitness
- Limit fat and cholesterol
- Adequate calcium intake (women)
- Advance Health Directives
Medicines Used to Prevent Disease
Some medicines can help prevent diseases. Before taking any medicine, check with your PCP.
- Aspirin: Can help prevent heart disease for men age 40 and older and women who have reached menopause.
- Multivitamin with folic acid: Can reduce some birth defects when taken before and during pregnancy.
- Hormone replacement therapy: Can reduce menopause symptoms for some women.