Adult Preventive Health

Helping you stay healthy is our priority.  That's why we provide you with the latest preventive health recommendations. As you view the guidelines, remember that your doctor will recommend preventive services based on your individual health needs.


Exams

Ages 20 to 49 Years

Health maintenance visit: Every 1-2 years

Ages 50+ Years

Health maintenance visit: Annually

Women Ages 20+ Years

Women’s wellness visits: Annually


Health Screenings

Along with health education and a physical exam, your doctor will include discussions about certain health screenings based your individual health needs.

Men and Women 19 to 64+ Years Old

  • Abnormal glucose and Diabetes Type 2: Age 40-70 years

  • Alcohol use

  • Aspirin therapy - Low dose: Ages 50-59 years if at risk for cardiovascular disease or colorectal cancer

  • Blood pressure: At each visit

    • High blood pressure screening

  • Cholesterol: Ages 40 to 75 years as recommended by your doctor

  • Colorectal cancer:  Beginning at age 45 years through age 75 years (Note: Procedures to treat any abnormal findings require a co-payment, even if performed at the same time as the screening)

  • Depression

  • Height & weight: At each visit

  • Hepatitis B: If at risk

  • Hepatitis C: Adults born between 1945 and 1965

  • HIV: Adolescents and Adults aged 15-65+ if at risk

  • Obesity and body mass index (BMI)

  • Syphilis: If sexually active

  • Tobacco and substance use

  • Tuberculosis (TB) skin test: If at risk or as recommended by your doctor

Women

  • Breast cancer: At Age 40+ years - annual mammogram* or as recommended by your doctor

  • Breast cancer medications: If at increased risk for breast cancer

  • Cervical Cancer Screening:

    • Beginning at age 21 to 29 years: Every 3 years

    • Age 30 to 65 years: Every 5 years

  • Chlamydia:

    • Age 24 years and younger if sexually active

    • Woman 24+ years if at increased risk

  • Folic Acid: Women planning or capable of pregnancy

  • Genetic Risk Assessment: If at increased risk for breast or ovarian cancer

  • Gonorrhea:

    • Age 24 years and younger who are sexually active

    • Women 24+ if at increased risk

  • Intimate partner violence: Childbearing age group

  • Mammograms*: See Breast cancer

  • Osteoporosis: At age 65+ years and women under 65 who are at risk for fractures

*Remember to enter WHA's Breast Cancer Screening Incentive for a chance to win a $100 gift card!

Men

  • Abdominal aortic aneurysm: At age 65+ years who have ever smoked

 

Pregnant Women:

  • Alcohol and substance use

  • Alpha fetoprotein: Age 35+ years or if at increased risk

  • Anemia

  • Alcohol use

  • Alpha fetoprotein

  • Anemia

  • Aspirin - Low Dose: If at high risk for pre-eclampsia after 12 weeks of gestation

  • Asymptomatic bacteriuria:

    • At 12 to 16 weeks gestation, or

    • At first prenatal visit, if later

  • Cervical cancer: See above

  • Depression

  • Gestational diabetes

  • Group B streptococcus - 36-37 weeks of gestation

  • Hepatitis B - At first prenatal visit

  • HIV

  • Prenatal exams:

    • Weeks 4 through 28: Monthly

    • Weeks 28 through 36: Twice a month

    • Weeks 36 to birth: Weekly

  • Postpartum exam: At 3 weeks after delivery, and no later than 12 weeks after giving birth 

  • RH (D) Incompatibility

  • Rubella

  • Syphilis

  • Tuberculosis

  • Tobacco use


Health Education

During each visit, your doctor may discuss certain health topics based on age, gender and individual health care needs. Your doctor may want to discuss the following:

20-64 Years

  • Aspirin Therapy:

    • Men beginning at age 45

    • Women beginning at age 55

  • Alcohol and Substance Use

  • Healthy Weight

  • Healthy Diet

  • Immunizations

  • Injury and Violence Prevention

  • Mental Health

  • Physical Activity

  • Sexual Behavior and Sexually Transmitted Infections

  • Tobacco/Substance Use and Avoidance

Women

  • Chemoprevention for breast cancer: Women at high-risk

  • Self-breast Exams: Beginning at age 20+

Pregnant women or women considering pregnancy

  • Breast Feeding

  • Folic Acid

  • Tobacco and substance use and avoidance

  • Alcohol use and avoidance

pregnant woman on phone in park


Resources

NurseLine

NurseLine
877.793.3655
Chat Online

Choosing Wisely

Consumer Health Choices

Last review date: July 21, 2020