Health screening 101: The power of prevention

With the New Year underway and a fresh calendar ahead, it's the perfect time to take charge and make your health a top priority in 2025. From your annual wellness exam to routine screenings, taking a proactive approach to your health helps identify and address potential health issues early, reducing the risk of serious illnesses and improving overall well-being.

One crucial step in this journey is establishing yourself with a primary care provider if you don’t already have one. Routine visits with your provider are vital to help you maintain good physical and mental health throughout all stages of life. Most insurance plans encourage selection of a primary care provider (some even require it), and it’s helpful in case you are acutely ill and need to be evaluated or have ongoing prescriptions that need to be managed.

Why are annual check-ups with your primary care provider important?

In the hustle and bustle of our busy daily lives, it’s easy to overlook the importance of regular health check-ups. These routine visits go beyond just treating illnesses; they play a pivotal role in preventive care, early detection of diseases and cultivating a lasting doctor-patient relationship.

Getting to know an individual as your point person for medical care means someone is familiar with your personal and family medical history and your health goals. They are a resource if you need medical advice and can serve as a consultant if you are hospitalized or need a referral for specialty care.

A primary care provider doesn’t have to be a doctor – you can choose an advanced practice provider (physician assistant or nurse practitioner) in New York State. These types of medical providers maintain their patient roster. Be sure to check with your insurance carrier to verify that the provider you’d like is covered by your plan.

Whether you already have a primary care provider or are establishing care with someone new, there are several items all adults should have checked annually. Many insurance plans cover an annual physical exam at no charge, so the appointment may not cost anything but your time. Patients who are proactive and come to see a provider once a year tend to be in better health — they are paying attention to what’s going on and working in partnership with their provider, enabling them to stay on top of any concerns or changes. It’s much easier to manage an acute or chronic illness if identified early.

The power of early detection

In addition to your regular check-up, annual health screenings are also important for maintaining optimal health and overall wellness. These can include:

• Blood Pressure Screenings – High or low blood pressure is often a first indicator of other issues, or it can be a condition in and of itself. If necessary, blood pressure can sometimes be managed with diet and lifestyle changes or with medication.
• A1C Test – Those with diabetes or are at risk for diabetes should add an annual A1C test to their list. This test measures average blood glucose over time and is more accurate than a rapid finger-stick test, which may show high fasting blood sugar even if overall blood sugar is normal. Individuals with diabetes should also have a comprehensive foot exam – poor circulation and nerve damage can be part of the disease process.
• Blood Work – As part of your physical, your primary care provider may order some basic blood work, which can identify early signs of kidney disease, diabetes or other issues. Be sure to ask ahead of time if fasting is required.
• Medication Review – When you go to your appointment, bring along a list of all medications you’re currently taking, whether they are taken daily, weekly or at some other interval. Talk with your provider about what you’re taking and why, especially if you have concerns about changes in any condition or are having trouble affording medication. In many cases, financial assistance programs are available – tell your provider if you need help paying for necessary prescriptions.
• Vision Check-ups – Adults should see an optometrist or ophthalmologist for an eye exam at least every two years. A different interval may be recommended if you have a condition that affects the eyes, such as diabetes, glaucoma or macular issues. Age-related eye changes become common over age 40, even if you’ve never worn glasses. The eye’s lens thickens and becomes less flexible, changing how the eye focuses images. Floaters, dry eyes or, conversely, excessive tear production can also be consequences of getting older. Eyeglass prescriptions can change rapidly in your 40s and beyond, so regular eye exams are important for necessary updates.

Lastly, staying informed about the benefits and timing of preventive cancer screenings is more crucial than ever.

Who should get cancer screenings and when?

Regular screenings can detect cancer before symptoms appear, increasing the chances of successful treatment. Here’s when different age groups should consider screenings for various types of cancer:

Always consult a healthcare professional to tailor screening schedules based on personal and family medical history.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with a UHS primary care provider,click here.