Preventive Care: What You Might Be Missing Without a PCP
Why should one go to a doctor for a routine exam when they do not feel sick at all? One might think, “Why fix something if it’s not broken?” Preventive health care includes screenings, routine examinations, and immunization to prevent disease, prolong life, and improve overall health outcomes. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) provides screening recommendations based on peer-reviewed evidence with the goal of shared decision-making between primary care clinicians and patients on whether a preventive service is appropriate for a patient's needs. These include recommendations for patients of all ages.
In children, routine health exams are strongly recommended to ensure proper age-appropriate growth and development as well as healthy hearing and vision. Parents can express their concerns regarding their children during these visits whether it be behaviors at school or at home. It is also important to keep children up to date on their childhood vaccinations to protect them from preventable diseases. Obesity in children and adolescents is also becoming increasingly prevalent; and early detection and intervention is of utmost importance, as it has both short-term and long-term health consequences. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, this can lead to other obesity-related problems such as asthma, insulin resistance, mental health issues, orthopedic issues, abnormal lipid levels, and high blood pressure. It can also continue into adulthood and lead to poor health outcomes such as heart problems and type 2 diabetes.
Among adults, heart disease and cancer are the two leading causes of death in ages 45 and older, which is why most screenings begin in this age group, according to the CDC. Chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart failure create a considerable impact on a patient’s quality of life. Along with regular doctor visits, another crucial factor in optimizing one’s health is a healthy lifestyle. The American College of Lifestyle Medicine tells us that lifestyle modifications such as proper nutrition, adequate physical activity, stress management, sleep management, avoidance of risky substance use, and social connection all contribute to treat, reverse, and prevent chronic disease through sustainable behavioral change. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends adults to achieve 150 minutes/week of moderate exercise and physical activity or 75 minutes/week of vigorous activity. The prevention and management of chronic diseases are important in improving health outcomes and overall quality of life.
Examples of age-appropriate screenings include and are not limited to:
- Cervical cancer screening
- Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm
In addition, vaccinations are not limited to children. Ages 50 and older also have recommended vaccinations to prevent disease severity of the following infections:
- Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine
Primary care physicians aim to provide patients with educational strategies and projected health outcomes that would positively affect their health behaviors. A collaborative approach between physicians and patients promotes high-value and patient-centered care by involving patients in developing a sensible care plan that works for them. To learn more about preventive care, visit the USPSTF website www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org.