EnglishThe Power of Prevention
Preventive care focuses on keeping you healthy and catching potential problems early, before they become serious. It's one of the most effective ways to protect your long-term health and reduce healthcare costs.
Types of Preventive Care
Screenings and Tests
Regular screenings can detect diseases in their earliest, most treatable stages:
- Blood pressure checks
- Cholesterol tests
- Blood glucose (diabetes) screening
- Cancer screenings (mammograms, colonoscopies, Pap smears, skin checks)
- Bone density tests
- Vision and hearing tests
- Depression screening
Immunizations
Vaccines protect you from serious diseases:
- Annual flu shot
- COVID-19 vaccines
- Tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap)
- Shingles vaccine (for adults 50+)
- Pneumococcal vaccine (for adults 65+)
- HPV vaccine
Counseling and Education
Your doctor can provide guidance on:
- Nutrition and healthy eating
- Physical activity
- Tobacco and alcohol use
- Weight management
- Stress management
- Safe sex practices
Benefits of Preventive Care
- Early Detection: Catching diseases early often means simpler, more effective treatment
- Lower Healthcare Costs: Preventing illness is far less expensive than treating advanced disease
- Longer, Healthier Life: Regular care helps you stay active and independent
- Peace of Mind: Knowing you're taking care of your health reduces anxiety
- Better Quality of Life: Prevention helps you avoid complications and maintain function
What's Covered Without Cost
Under the Affordable Care Act, most insurance plans must cover certain preventive services at no cost to you (no copay or deductible), including:
- Annual wellness visits
- Many screenings and immunizations
- Preventive care for children
- Prenatal care
- Certain counseling services
Taking Action
Make preventive care a priority:
- Schedule your annual checkup
- Stay up to date on recommended screenings for your age and risk factors
- Keep your vaccinations current
- Talk to your doctor about your family health history
- Make healthy lifestyle choices every day
Prevention isn't just about avoiding illness—it's about investing in your future health and wellbeing.