Did you know that rural Americans are at greater risk for preventative conditions? These include the five leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, unintentional injuries, chronic lower respiratory disease, and stroke. However, seeing your healthcare provider can make a difference. Scheduling a wellness exam is one way they can help prevent these and other serious health conditions before they become chronic conditions. A wellness exam is a type of preventative care that can identify multiple health concerns and assist you with making educated health decisions. The screenings and tests can vary by age and lifestyle. Seeing a healthcare provider regularly, at any age, can help to recognize and correct health issues immediately before they become more challenging to address and treat.
Preventative care can encompass many different things. One type of preventative care is immunizations. Everyone needs immunizations. Starting at birth and going through age 6, children should receive vaccines to prevent against Chickenpox, Diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Influenza, Measles, Mumps, Pertussis (whooping cough), Polio, Pneumococcus, Rotavirus, Rubella, and Tetanus. There are also vaccines recommended for children age 7-18 which include those that protect against Influenza, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Human Papillomavirus. Adults should also receive immunizations that protect against Influenza, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Zoster (Shingles), and Pneumococcal. For people of all ages, vaccines are provided according to a recommended vaccine schedule. If you have not received a vaccine during the recommended time frame listed above, it’s not too late, you still may be able to receive it. It is encouraged to speak with your healthcare provider about your vaccinations.
For children & adolescents, preventative care can address: (see recommendation after each of the following)
- Staying on track with the recommended immunization schedule: all children & adolescents
- Screening for developmental milestones: all children & adolescents
- Screening for physical development: all children & adolescents
- Lead testing: children age 1 and 2, all children under 6 with risk factors
- Health education: all children & adolescents
- Safe sleep: starting at birth
- Blood pressure checks: children 3 and older
- Depression screening: children 12 and older
- Hearing testing: children starting at birth
- Tooth care, such as fluoride: children 6 months and older
For adults, preventative care can address: (see recommendation after each of the following)
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm: men age 65-75 who have ever smoked tobacco
- Alcohol use: all adults
- Aspirin use: men aged 45-79 & women 55-79
- Blood pressure & blood pressure checks: all adults
- Cholesterol checks: men 35 and older & women at high risk 20 and older
- Colorectal Cancer Testing: adults 50-75
- STI Testing: adults who have sex or at high risk
- Depression: all adults
- Diabetes: adults with high blood pressure
- Healthy Eating: adults with high cholesterol or at risk for heart disease or diabetes
**The lists above are not complete. There are also additional tests and screenings that may be recommended based on your lifestyle, age, and gender.**
How can you find out what you may be due for?
- Speak with your healthcare provider
- Visit: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules
- Visit: www.cdc.gov/prevention
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Last Update: Aug 09, 2017 7:16 am CDT
