Make preventive care a priority. Review the recommendations on this page, and schedule preventive screenings.
For more information, reference the Atrium Health Medical Plan Preventive Care Guide.
Typically, women should have a routine, preventive physical every year beginning at age 18. The following chart shows some common health screenings and immunizations your doctor is likely to discuss with you during the exam. Your doctor may request that you visit a lab prior to your appointment to have certain blood tests and/or urinalysis, or may recommend additional preventive screenings. If pregnant, recommendations may vary. Speak with your Provider for recommendations.
| Screenings | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Weight, Height, Body Mass Index (BMI) | At every physical |
| Blood Pressure | Yearly if age 40 and older (or at any age if at increased risk for high blood pressure). Every 5 years if ages 18 to 39 |
| Diabetes | Every 3 years if age 45 and older (or at any age if blood pressure is higher than 135/80 or age 35 and older in adults who have overweight or obesity) |
| Cholesterol | Every 5 years beginning at age 35 (beginning at age 20 if at increased risk for heart disease) |
| Cervical Cancer | Ages 21 to 29: every 3 years Ages 30 to 65: every 3 to 5 years Additional screenings may vary based on condition and age. |
| Osteoporosis | Ages 65 and over (earlier if post-menopausal with fractures) Frequency depends on provider's recommendations. |
| Colon Cancer |
Ages 45 and over Risk and screening methods may vary. Speak with your Provider. |
| Lung Cancer |
Adults aged 50 to 80 years; |
| Skin Cancer | Do a home/self-skin check yearly and seek care for any new or changing skin spot or mole. |
| Breast Cancer |
Ages 40 and over: screening may vary based on risk. Speak with your Provider. |
| Infectious disease (STD) |
Chlamydia/gonorrhea- sexually active women age 24 years and younger and in older women who are at increased risk for infection Hepatitis C- adults ages 18 to 79 years. Most adults only need to be screened once. |
| Hearing |
Yearly, beginning at age 65 |
| Dental |
Every 6 months |
| Vision |
Yearly |
| Depression | Yearly, beginning at age 18 |
| Immunizations | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Influenza (Flu) | Every year |
| Herpes Zoster (Shingles) | At age 50 or over |
| Pneumococcal (Pneumonia) | At age 65 or over Recommendations may change based on chronic conditions. Speak with your provider. |
| Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) | Ages 11 to 26 (discuss with your doctor; 2-3 doses depending on age of first vaccine) Ages 27-45: based on doctor's recommendation |
| Tetanus Diphtheria Pertussis (TdAP/Td) | TdAP vaccine once, then a Td booster every 10 years |
| Meningococcal |
Ages 19-23 Varies by vaccine type, speak with your provider |
| RSV | Ages 60 and over, seasonally for pregnant women in the 32-36 weeks of gestation Speak with your provider. |
| Covid-19 | Speak with your provider |
Typically, men should have a routine, preventive physical annually beginning at age 18. The following chart shows some common health screenings and immunizations your doctor is likely to discuss with you during the exam. Your doctor may request that you visit a lab prior to your appointment to have certain blood tests and/or urinalysis, or may recommend additional preventive screenings.
| Screenings | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Weight, Height, Body Mass Index (BMI) | At every physical |
| Blood Pressure | Yearly if age 40 and older (or at any age if at increased risk for high blood pressure). Every 5 years if ages 18 to 39 |
| Diabetes | Every 3 years if age 45 and older (or at any age if blood pressure is higher than 135/80 or age 35 and older in adults who have overweight or obesity) |
| Cholesterol | Every 5 years beginning at age 35 (beginning at age 20 if at increased risk for heart disease) |
| Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm | One-time screening for men ages 65-75 who have ever smoked |
| Osteoporosis | Ages 50 to 70, if risk factors are present |
| Colon Cancer |
Ages 45 and over Risk and screening methods may vary. Speak with your Provider. |
| Lung Cancer | Adults aged 50 to 80 years; who have a 20 pack-year smoking history; and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years |
| Skin Cancer |
Do a home/self-skin check yearly and seek care for any new or changing skin spot or mole. |
| Prostate Cancer |
Ages 55-69, speak with your provider |
| Infectious disease (STD) |
HIV- ages 15 to 65 years; younger adolescents and older adults who are at increased risk of infection should also be screened Hepatitis C- adults ages 18 to 79 years |
| Hearing |
Yearly, beginning at age 65 |
| Dental |
Every 6 months |
| Vision |
Yearly |
| Depression | Yearly, beginning at age 18 |
| Immunizations | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Influenza (Flu) | Every year |
| Herpes Zoster (Shingles) | At age 50 or over |
| Pneumococcal (Pneumonia) |
At age 65 or over Recommendations may change based on chronic conditions. Speak with your provider. |
| Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) | Ages 11 to 26 (discuss with your doctor; 2-3 doses depending on age of first vaccine) Ages 27-45: based on doctor's recommendation |
| Tetanus Diphtheria Pertussis (TdAP/Td) | TdAP vaccine once, then a Td booster every 10 years |
| Meningococcal |
Ages 19-23 Varies by vaccine type, speak with your provider |
| RSV | Ages 60 and over Speak with your provider |
| Covid-19 | Speak with your provider |
