What to Know About Preventive Care
What Is Preventive Care?
The goal of preventive care is to keep you healthy. Preventive care includes regular checkups, like annual physical exams. Your partner in preventive care is your primary care provider (PCP). PCPs include physicians (MDs and DOs), nurses, and other health care professionals.
All our primary care providers offer the same high standard of care for you and your family. They work together to help you get the care you need. Your PCP can find and treat issues early through regular checkups:
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Screening and blood tests measure your health. We''ll check your blood pressure, cholesterol level, diabetes risk (blood sugar level), cancer risk, and bone health.
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Vaccines help your body learn to fight and prevent infections and diseases, like the flu.
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Wellness exams address your weight, mental health, and lifestyle risks, like smoking or alcohol use.
Why Is Preventive Care Important?
Preventive care leads to better health. Finding issues, especially before symptoms appear, lets your doctor help you avoid larger problems. Preventive care can not only keep you and your family healthy but also save you money later.
When Should You Schedule a Preventive Care Visit?
Most healthy adults should have a preventive care visit once a year. In some cases, wellness visits may need to happen more often. This depends on your age, sex, health risks, and other recommendations from your PCP.
If you don’t have a primary care provider, we are always accepting new patients. You can find a doctor or call us at 801-213-9500 to get started.
Make an Appointment
1. New to U of U Health or Primary Care?
If you are new to U of U Health or have never seen one of our primary care providers before, schedule an appointment online.
2. Seen Us Before?
3. Give Us a Call.
Want to talk to someone directly? You can also schedule your appointment over the phone. Call us at 801-213-9500.
Virtual Primary Care
Receive high-quality care from the comfort of your home. We offer virtual primary care visits for your convenience. Get a routine checkup, refill a prescription, and more.
Preventive Care Services at U of U Health
Preventive Care for Women
Women should schedule an annual checkup with a primary care provider. During these visits, you can discuss health concerns and complete regular screenings:
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Blood pressure—You should have this tested each year from age 18.
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Bone health—DEXA scans measure bone density and check for signs of osteoporosis. Current guidelines recommend starting these for women at age 65 or earlier for women at increased risk.
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Breast health—Doctors recommend breast exams, mammograms, or both annually based on age. Screening may be more frequent if you have a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors.
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Cervical health—You should get tested every 3–5 years, depending on your age. Ask your provider about how often they recommend cervical cancer screening.
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Cholesterol and lipid levels—These should be tested every 4–6 years starting at age 20. You may need more frequent testing if you have risk factors.
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Colon health—Current guidelines say you should be screened for colon cancer starting at age 45. You can be screened with a home-based stool test or a colonoscopy, depending on your risk. You may need a screening more often if you have a family history of colorectal cancer or other risk factors.
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Diabetes (blood sugar levels)—You should get this checked every three years from age 35 or annually if at high risk.
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Mental health—Your provider can help you identify symptoms of depression or anxiety, substance abuse, or stress.
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Skin health—Annual skin cancer screening helps your provider find new or changing moles or other concerning skin findings.
Preventive Care for Men
Men should schedule an annual physical exam with a provider to discuss their health.
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Your provider should perform regular screenings during these visits:
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Blood pressure—You should have this tested each year from age 18.
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Cholesterol and lipid levels—These should be tested every 4–6 years starting at age 20. You may need more frequent testing if you have risk factors.
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Diabetes (blood sugar levels)—You should get this checked every three years from age 35 or annually if at high risk.
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Mental health—Your provider can help you identify symptoms of depression or anxiety, substance abuse, or stress.
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Skin health—Skin cancer screening each year helps your provider find new or changing moles or other concerning skin findings.
Your provider will also perform age-specific screenings:
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Bone density and osteoporosis tests are recommended for men 70 and older.
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Colorectal cancer testing from a colonoscopy or using a home-based stool test is recommended starting at age 45. You may need a screening more often if you have a family history or additional risk factors.
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Prostate cancer testing can be considered using the prostate-specific antigen test if you have a family history or other risk factors.
Preventive Care for Children
Preventive care is important for children. It is especially important if they have conditions like ADHD, obesity, or diabetes. All children should see a provider once a year for basic health checks:
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Annual exams (well-child checks)
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Developmental screening
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Hearing and vision tests
Preventive Care for Older Adults
Older adults are at higher risk of developing chronic health conditions. Preventive care often includes other tests besides those listed above for adults:
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Dementia and memory loss
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Fall risk (balance issues)
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Hearing and vision changes