Preventive Health Guidelines

These recommended screenings were developed and are regularly reviewed by the members of Capital Health Plan's Quality Improvement Committee. This committee includes primary care and specialty physicians.

These charts highlight recommendations for preventive screenings that you should discuss with your primary care physician (PCP). This information is for asymptomatic, non-pregnant, low-risk patients. Family history and other factors can influence the need for additional or more frequent tests. An important part of a health screening exam is the counseling given by your physician. All major authorities recommend that adult patients be counseled on the following issues:

  • Stopping smoking
  • Health risks of being overweight
  • Alcohol and other drug abuse
  • Injury prevention
  • Exercise
  • Over-use of prescription and nonprescription medication
  • Advance Directives
  • Risk of skin cancer with excessive exposure to the sun
  • Treatment options for menopausal women
  • Benefits and limitations of breast self exam
  • Aspirin for cardiovascular disease risk
  • Vision and hearing exams
  • Calcium supplements for adolescent and adult women
  • Folic acid supplements for women of childbearing age

Remember, it is important to schedule your preventive screening appointments well in advance.

Recommended Preventive Screenings for Men

Age 18-39: A health screening every 3 years that includes:

Age 40 and above: An annual screening that includes:

· Blood pressure Measured every visit and at least every 2 years for patients with normal readings

· Cholesterol Every 5 years, beginning at age 35

· Testicular exam May be included in health screening

· Obesity screen Body Mass Index every 1 to 3 years

· Blood pressure Measured every visit

· Cholesterol Every 5 years

· Testicular exam May be included in health screening

· Obesity screen Body Mass Index every 1 to 3 years

· Colon exam Regular exam of the colon beginning at age 50 on a schedule determined by PCP/treating physician. Ask PCP for exam options.

· Prostate specific antigen (PSA) Men over the age of 50 should receive individualized counseling about the known risks and possible benefits of PSA testing.

· Rectal exam, digital May be included in health screening beginning at age 50.

· Stools for occult blood Annually beginning at age 50

· Abdominal aortic ultrasound (one time) for men who have smoked, age 65-75

· Diabetes screen Every 3 years beginning at age 45, especially if overweight

Recommended Preventive Screenings for Women

Age 18-39: A health screening every 3 years coinciding with Pap test. The screening includes:

Age 40 and above: An annual screening that includes:

· Blood pressure Measured every visit and at least every 2 years for patients with normal readings

· Breast exam Every 3 years

· Obesity screen Body Mass Index every 1 to 3 years

· Chlamydia Screen sexually active women age 25 and under

· Pap test Women who are sexually active or who are 18 years of age or over should have annual Pap test. After a women has had 3 or more consecutive normal examinations, the Pap test can be performed less frequently but at least every 3 years.

· Blood pressure Measured every visit

· Breast exam Annually

· Obesity screen Body Mass Index every 1 to 3 years

· Cholesterol Every 5 years, beginning at age 45

· Pap test See recommendation for ages 18-39; after age 65, consult your physician.

· Colon exam Regular exam of the colon beginning at age 50 on a schedule determined by PCP/treating physician. Ask PCP for exam options.

· Mammography Every 1 to 2 years for ages 40-49, annually beginning at age 50

· Rectal exam, digital May be included in health screening beginning at age 50.

· Stools for occult blood Annually beginning at age 50

· Thyroid testing Consider screening TSH for women age 35 and over

· Osteoporosis Bone mineral density age 65 and over every 2 years

· Diabetes screen Every 3 years beginning at age 45, especially if overweight

Reference material was evaluated from the following sources:

  • American Academy of Family Practitioners
  • American College of Physicians
  • American Cancer Society
  • Canadian Task Force on the Periodic Health Examination
  • United States Preventive Services Task Force
  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
  • American Gastroenterological Association
  • American Urological Association
  • National Cancer Institute
  • American Diabetes Association
  • College of American Pathologists
  • American Medical Association
  • American Geriatric Association