Health Promotion and Disease Prevention for Men and Women

A number of factors play a part in staying healthy. A proper diet and daily physical activity play important roles — as do annual physicals, screenings and immunizations.

Creating good habits and avoiding negative ones, such as smoking, excessive drinking and unhealthy eating, improve your chances of staying healthy. At Beaufort Memorial, we believe healthy living is not a solitary pursuit. That’s why our board-certified primary care providers (PCPs) are dedicated to providing preventive health care for men and women, throughout all stages of life.

Preventive health begins with a good relationship with your PCP. Find a board-certified PCP who is accepting new patients.

Preventive Health for All Adults

Chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease, not only severely limit your quality of life, but they can also be financially and emotionally draining. PCPs are valuable partners in preventing these conditions, which is why it is so important for all adults to have an annual physical. At an annual physical, your PCP has the chance to discuss your overall health with you while you are well, without a medical problem requiring all your PCP’s focus. He or she will:

• Ask about your personal and family health history to determine if you are at increased risk for a chronic disease
• Ask about your sexual health to determine if you should be screened for sexually transmitted diseases
• Check your blood pressure, as well as cholesterol and blood sugar levels if necessary
• Discuss screenings and immunizations you need
• Take a look at your tobacco and alcohol use and recommend cessation programs or counseling if necessary

The goal of an annual physical is not to make you feel guilty, uncomfortable or ashamed. Your PCP wants to get a complete picture of your overall health, so he or she can recommend the best treatments or resources to keep you as healthy as possible.

Women’s Preventive Health

Annual exams with a primary care provider are essential, especially for women with a family history of certain cancers and other illnesses. Women should have:

• Mammograms to screen for breast cancer
• Cervical cancer screenings
• Colorectal cancer screenings, such as a colonoscopy
• Bone density scans to check for bone loss

The frequency of these screenings will vary based on age, personal and family health history and other factors. Every year, your PCP will review which screenings you need to avoid serious chronic diseases.

Download our free guide to women’s health screenings.

Men’s Preventive Health

Men also have unique risk factors that increase the chances of developing preventable chronic diseases. Each year, during an annual physical, PCPs discuss screenings for the following conditions with their male patients:

• Diabetes
• Cholesterol
• Colorectal cancer
• High blood pressure
• Prostate cancer

The frequency and type of screening varies based on age, personal and family health history, and other factors. Never hesitate to discuss with your PCP when you should schedule these important screenings.

Vaccines Adults Need

It’s easy to think that vaccines are for children only, but they benefit adults just as much. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends adults get the following vaccines:

• Influenza, one dose every year
• Pneumococcal polysaccharide, one dose for adults age 65 and older
• Tetanus and diphtheria booster every 10 years
• Zoster (shingles), two doses for adults age 50 and older

Your PCP may also recommend vaccines for human papillomavirus, hepatitis A and B, varicella (chickenpox), and others depending on your age and whether you are at risk for a vaccine-preventable disease.

Medicare Wellness Exams for Older Adults

Medicare wellness exams for patients age 65 and older are similar to annual physicals for younger adults, with a few differences. As with physicals, your weight, height and blood pressure will be taken. Your PCP will ask you questions about your medical history and health and whether you have any health concerns. You can also discuss necessary vaccines and screenings.

Medicare wellness exams also include a general discussion about your mental health and screenings for cognitive issues, such as dementia. Your PCP can also talk to you about advance care planning, so you and your family will be prepared to make medical decisions if you are unable to.