Day-to-day health decisions have a great influence on our long-term health. This means practicing positive health behaviors and making informed health decisions. Getting preventive care exams is an important step in staying healthy.
A routine physical exam from a doctor or a health care provider helps you know the state of your health. You can help lower your risk of illness or injury by getting regular exams and tests to find problems at an early treatable stage and by receiving immunizations that prevent disease.
Basic parts of a routine checkup include:
- A complete medical history including family history, previous illness, emotional well being, etc.
- A check on how body organs are functioning
- Vital signs like blood pressure and pulse
- Body examination
- Diagnostic tests like blood tests and x-rays, if indicated
- Immunizations, if indicated
- A check of specific health concerns
Common tests (where indicated) include:
- Weight/height
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol blood test
- Depression screening
- Diabetes screening
- Colorectal cancer tests
- Mammogram (women)
- Osteoporosis screening
- Bone density test
- Pap test (women)
- Prostate cancer screening (men)
- Sexually transmitted disease testing
How can I find the age-appropriate guidelines for preventive exams and immunizations that I need?
- The Health and Wellness Information Portal has information about your preventive exams and immunizations.
- Find information and tools to help you and those you care about stay healthy with the Quick Guide to Healthy Living.
- Ask your health care provider, "At my age what screening tests/immunizations should I have? I have a family or personal history of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, or stroke. Is there a different schedule of screening tests I should follow?"
- Use a self-care book.
To learn more about immunizations, visit the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention's Vaccines & Immunizations site.
How we can help:
Log in to the Health & Wellness Information Portal to check your compliance with Occupational Health, print your immunization records, and learn what preventive exams are recommended.
Additional Information:
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Keywords: Prevention, Preventive, Preventive Care, Immunizations, Physical, Physical Exam, Cancer, Cancer Prevention, Doctor, Health Care Provider, Preventing Illness
