What Is Preventive Care?
Preventive care includes annual wellness visits, routine screenings, vaccinations, and conversations with your healthcare provider about your health and risk factors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), preventive care helps identify potential health concerns early, when treatment is often most effective.
Many common conditions—including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes—may not cause symptoms right away. Without routine screenings, individuals may not realize they have a health concern until complications develop.
Know Your Numbers
One of the simplest ways to take charge of your health is to know your key health numbers.
These include:
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol levels
- Blood sugar levels
- Weight and Body Mass Index (BMI)
Tracking these measurements over time helps identify changes that could increase your risk for heart disease, stroke, or other chronic conditions.
Recommended Screenings for Men
The screenings recommended for you may vary based on your age, family history, and overall health. Your provider may recommend screenings for:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Type 2 diabetes
- Colorectal cancer
- Depression and mental health concerns
- Lung cancer for eligible current or former smokers
- Hepatitis C and other infectious diseases
Regular preventive visits also provide an opportunity to discuss sleep habits, physical activity, nutrition, stress management, and other lifestyle factors that influence overall health.
Prevention Is Better Than Treatment
Many of the leading causes of illness and death among men can be prevented, detected early, or managed successfully through routine healthcare. Preventive care isn't just about finding disease—it's about helping you stay healthy and maintain your quality of life.
A yearly checkup can help you build a relationship with your healthcare provider, address concerns before they become serious, and create a plan to support your long-term health goals
Make Your Health A Priority
If it's been more than a year since your last preventive visit, Men's Health Week is the perfect time to take the next step. Scheduling an annual checkup can help identify potential health concerns early, answer questions about your health, and create a plan to support your long-term well-being.
Whether you're due for a routine wellness exam, need recommended screenings, or simply want to establish care with a primary care provider, now is a great time to get started.
At Jefferson County Health Center, our primary care providers are here to help you stay healthy at every stage of life. Don't wait until symptoms appear to focus on your health. Preventive care can make a significant difference in detecting concerns early and helping you feel your best.
Ready to schedule an appointment? Contact one of our clinics:
- JCHC Clinic | Fairfield at (641) 472-4156
- JCHC Clinic | Richland at 319-456-2058
- JCHC Clinic | Ottumwa at 641-215-8201
Life gets busy. Between work, family responsibilities, and daily commitments, many men put their own health on the back burner. Unfortunately, delaying routine medical care can allow health concerns to go unnoticed until they become more serious.
Men's Health Week is a reminder that preventive care is one of the most important investments you can make in your long-term health. care of your health today is an investment in your future.
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