Importance of Preventative Health Screens
We all know classic recommendations for improving overall health and well-being. Eating a balanced diet, drinking plenty of water, exercise, and getting enough sleep top the list, but something that’s not talked about as much is staying on top of your health screenings.
The National Library of Medicine states that at certain ages there are specific health screens that are necessary to prevent or detect illness or disease. Health screens are designed to protect yourself and, ideally, prevent surprises down the road. Read on to find out at what age specific health screens are recommended.
Why are health screens important?
The idea of going to see your doctor when you feel perfectly healthy may seem odd, but preventative care is becoming more common. According to the World Health Organization, “The purpose of screening is to identify people in an apparently healthy population who are at higher risk of a health problem or a condition, so that an early treatment or intervention can be offered. This, in turn, may lead to better health outcomes for some of the screened individuals.” The aims of screening programs include:
- To reduce mortality by early detection and early treatment of a condition;
- To reduce the incidence of a condition by identifying and treating its precursors;
- To reduce the severity of a condition by identifying people with the condition and offering effective treatment; and
- To increase choice by identifying conditions or risk factors at an early stage in a life-course when more options are available.
Although your provider will often recommend tests when you have an appointment, we’ve provided a health screening guide below to help you figure out what screenings you may need.
Health screenings play a tremendous role in preventative health for people of all ages.