You can safeguard and enhance your health, perhaps for many decades, by obtaining preventive health services a few times in your 20s. Your primary care provider and (if you’re a woman) your gynecological care provider will recommend the screening tests you need to promote early detection of the most common yet treatable diseases occurring in adults. These include
sexually transmitted diseases, cancers,
diabetes, and
heart disease.
The health care provider will be interested in identifying any risk factors you may have for common chronic diseases and discussing what you can do to prevent illness and injury. In addition to the few screening tests routinely recommended for young adults, additional tests will be suggested based on your risk factors.
The menu at right links you to articles on the screening tests widely suggested for young adults, up to 29 years old. Listed first are the routine screening tests—those generally recommended for all individuals of a certain age range. Next are the tests health care providers consider for targeted screening—for individuals who appear to have risk factors for a certain condition other than their age.
For more information on preventive medicine and steps you can take to keep you and your family healthy, read Staying Healthy in an Era of Patient Responsibility.
General Sources
Massachusetts Health Quality Partners. Adult preventive care recommendations. May 2005. Available on the Internet at http://www.mhqp.org/guidelines/adultGuidelines.asp?nav=040908 through http://www.mhqp.org. Accessed 4 Feb 2008.
National Women’s Health Information Center, US Department of Health and Human Services. General screenings and immunizations for women. Material posted as of Nov 2007. Available on the Internet at http://www.4women.gov/screeningcharts/general through http://www.4women.gov. Accessed 4 Feb 2008.
US Preventive Services Task Force. Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, 2007. Available on the Internet at http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/pocketgd07/gcp2c.htm through http://www.ahrq.gov. Accessed 4 Feb 2008.
National Women’s Health Information Center, US Department of Health and Human Services. Screening tests and immunizations guidelines for men. Material posted as of Jun 2006. Available on the Internet at http://www.4women.gov/screeningcharts/men through http://www.4women.gov. Accessed 4 Feb 2008.
American Academy of Family Physicians. Summary of recommendations for clinical preventive services (rev 6.4). 15 Aug 2007. Available on the Internet through http://www.guideline.gov. Accessed 4 Feb 2008.
American Academy of Family Physicians. Preventive services for healthy living. Review/updates of Mar 2003 and Aug 2007. Available on the Internet at http://familydoctor.org/x1548.xml. Accessed 19 Oct 2004 and 7 Feb 2008.
American Academy of Family Physicians. Summary of policy recommendations for periodic health examinations. Aug 2003. Available on the Internet through http://www.guideline.gov. Accessed 19 Jul 2004.
