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Just as you get your car looked over every time you take it in for an oil change, it’s essential to have your body looked at each year. Annual health screenings can catch more significant issues in your body early and help you prevent major problems before they happen. As Jay Shi, MD, Internal Medicine Physician at Intermountain Health confirms, “annual screening visits allow us an opportunity to practice proactive and preventive medicine. Beyond that, they also help build a strong therapeutic relationship between the provider and the patient.”

If it’s been a while since you’ve seen your doctor, or if you don’t even have a doctor, now’s a good time to schedule your annual health screening. They’re often fully covered by your insurance. Here is a guide to follow for recommended screenings per age group.

18-39 Years Old

Unless you have an underlying condition or genetic factors, you likely can avoid cancer screenings that older individuals have to go through. However, be sure to tell your doctor if there’s anything that’s been bothering you. This is the time to get it all checked out. Also, don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor about lingering mental health problems. Dr. Shi adds, “Despite the high prevalence of anxiety and depression in modern society, studies estimate that more than half of all patients do not receive a formal diagnosis or any form of treatment.” Your brain is a part of your body, too, and your doctor will have suggestions on how to help. 

• Height and weight
• Cholesterol screening
• Blood pressure check
• Skin health screening
• Mental health check
• Genetic history screening
• Blood work including STDs, Thyroid Panel, and Liver Enzymes.

Women only: 

• HPV vaccine
• Cervical cancer screening
• Breast exam

Men only:

• Testicular exam

40-64 Years Old

By now, your age is catching up to you. But as long as you’ve been treating your body well, you shouldn’t see any surprises. This is when a few of the more common types of cancer show up, so your doctor will conduct screenings for those. and it's when it starts to become more important to do your yearly health screening and possibly consider making it a biannual affair.

• Basic health screening
• Shingles Vaccine
• Flu Shot
• Colorectal screening (50+)
• Colonoscopy (based on medical history)
• Osteoporosis screening (50+)
• Lung cancer screening

Women only:

• Annual blood work
• Mammogram
• Pelvic exam

Men only:

• Prostate exam

Over 65 Years Old

You’re no spring chicken. But you already knew that. Aside from the health screening tests you’re already used to by now (you are going to your annual health screenings, right?), you’ll also be screened to ensure you are not at risk of falling and that your bones are in good health. Additionally, it’s more important than ever to get the flu vaccine. Your body isn’t as capable of fighting off a significant virus such as the flu anymore.

• The screenings above plus:
• Colorectal screening
• Vision and hearing check
• Fall prevention screening
• High dose flu vaccine