As the U.S. health care system has evolved, patients and their families have had to take a more active role in the care they and their loved ones receive. Today, it is more important than ever that you take more responsibility for understanding your care and communicating with your doctor.
Preventive medicine is one area of health care in which all consumers can exercise more responsibility and control. In so doing, you are most likely to extend and enjoy your healthy years. Regular screening for common health problems is a simple and effective first step.
This article was last reviewed on September 17, 2008.
This article was last modified on April 8, 2009.
The review date indicates when the article was last reviewed from beginning to end to ensure that it reflects the most current science. A review may not require any modifications to the article, so the two dates may not always agree.
The modified date indicates that one or more changes were made to the article. Such changes may or may not result from a full review of the article, so the two dates may not always agree.
