Preventive Care

An overwhelming abundance of evidence exists to prove that people who get preventive healthcare - screening tests, immunizations, and health counseling and advice - enjoy better health overall. Study upon study has substantiated that preventive care helps people live longer and happier lives.

• Age-appropriate preventive care chart
• Immunizations
• Other resources

Age-appropriate preventive care chart

Health Activity	Ages 18-39	Ages 40-49	Ages 50-64	Age 65+	Comments
Physical Exam	annually	annually	annually	annually	as needed with health demands
Blood Pressure/Pulse	every other year	every year	every year	every year	more often with family history
Eye & Ear Exam	baseline by 39	every 2-4 years	every 2-4 years; 60+ yearly	yearly	more frequent visits with problems
Dental Exam	twice a year	twice a year	twice a year	twice a year	as needed with changes in dental health
Skin Exam	every 2 years	every year	every year	every year	as needed with changes in skin
IMMUNIZATIONS
Tetanus/Diphtheria	every 10 years	every 10 years	every 10 years	every 10 years
Influenza (Flu)	per risk	per risk	yearly	yearly	pregnancy, lung disease and heart disease require immunization prior to age 50
Measles/Mumps/Rubella	up to date	usually not needed	usually not needed	usually not needed	immunity desired prior to pregnancy
Pneumonia Vaccine	usually not needed	usually not needed	usually not needed	at age 65	booster may be required in 5 years
Cholesterol/Triglycerides	at age 20	every 5 years	every 5 years	every 5 years	more frequent if abnormality detected
Blood Sugar Evaluation (Diabetes)	usually not needed	every 3 years at 45	every 3 years	every 3 years	*more frequent and earlier depending on risk level and family history
Bone Density for Osteoporosis	usually not needed	usually not needed	baseline if at risk	age 65	*may screen earlier with risk factors
BREAST CANCER SCREENING
Breast Self-Exam	teach BSE by age 20	monthly	monthly	monthly	always call physician with concerns
Mammography	usually not needed	annually	annually	annually	risk level may require higher frequency
Breast Exam by Physician	every 1-3 years	annually	annually	annually	*risk level may require higher frequency
CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING
Pap Test	annually	annually	annually	annually	*some doctors feel that after three or more consecutive normal results, Pap smears may be performed every 2-3 years on certain low-risk women
Pelvic Exam by Physician	annually	annually	annually	annually
COLON CANCER SCREENING
Fecal Occult Blood Test and/or;	usually not needed	usually not needed	annually	annually	*colon screening may be performed earlier and more frequently with certain risk factors and family history
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy or;	usually not needed	usually not needed	every 3-5 years	every 3-5 years
Colonoscopy or;	usually not needed	usually not needed	every 5 years	every 5 years
Double Contrast Barium Enema	usually not needed	usually not needed	every 5 years	every 5 years

Screening tests are used to identify a disease previously unrecognized, or the risk factors associated with a particular disease. A number of health care organizations publish guidelines for the use of screening tests in certain age groups. These guidelines may vary or change from time to time because of new research or differences in interpretation by different health care organizations.

* Your health care team can assist you in adopting screening tests that apply to your particular family history. (G. Byron Kallam, MD offers this chart as a place to begin a dialogue with your health care team.)

Childhood immunizations

According to the 2003 National Immunization Survey, Texas has an overall immunization rate of 78% among children 19 - 35 months, continuing to lag behind the national average of 82%. The Governor's Commission for Women supports and has been involved in our state's efforts to raise immunization rates. Among its activities, the Commission:

• collaborated with representatives from the Texas Department of Health, organized medicine, consumer and parent groups, and the pharmaceutical industry to publish an eight-point statewide plan to increase immunization rates in Texas;
  


• partnered with McDonald's, the Caring for Children Foundation and Lopez Advertising to develop informational materials and fund public service announcements encouraging parents to follow the recommended immunization schedule;
  


• participated in regional stakeholder meetings concerning immunization issues in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio and McAllen; and
  


• attended media events with Texas First Lady Anita Perry to raise awareness of the urgent need to boost immunization rates throughout the state.

Related resources

Overall health

• U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
  The U.S Preventive Services Task Force is an independent panel of primary care and prevention experts, reviewing evidence of effectiveness and developing recommendations for clinical preventive services.
  odphp.osophs.dhhs.gov/pubs/guidecps/uspstf.htm
  


• Texas Department of State Health Services
  The Texas Department of State Health Services promotes optimal health for individuals and communities, while providing effective health, mental-health and substance-abuse services to Texans.
  www.dshs.state.tx.us/default.shtm
  


• Texas Woman's University Institute for Women's Health
  The Texas Woman's University Institute for Women's Health gathers data and disseminates information that will lead to cost-effective disease prevention and health maintenance programs for women and girls.
  www.twu.edu/womenshealth
  


• Texas Campaign for Women's Health
  The Texas Campaign for Women's Health works to make sure Texas women can access the care necessary to their health and well-being.
  www.whfpt.org/TCWH
  


• Women's Hospital of Texas: Women's Health
  Women's health information from the Women's Hospital of Texas, which provides compassionate and exceptional care to the women and infants it serves.
  www.womanshospital.com/healthcontent.asp?page=/healthy/woman/index
  


• Healthy People 2010
  Healthy People is a national health promotion and disease prevention initiative to improve the health of all Americans, eliminate disparities in health, and improve years and quality of healthy life.
  www.healthypeople.gov
  


• Office of Women's Health
  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Office of Women's Health serves as an advocate for women's health both inside and outside of the agency.
  www.4woman.gov/owh
  


• National Women's Health Information Center
  Women's health information from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
  www.4woman.gov
  


• The Office of Women's Health
  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Women's Health works to right inequities in research, healthcare services and education that have historically put women's health at risk.
  www.4woman.gov
  


• National Women's Health Resource Center
  The National Women's Health Resource Center is a nonprofit organization working to help women make informed decisions about their health, and to encourage women to embrace healthy lifestyles.
  www.healthywomen.org
  


• An Ounce of Prevention, Inc.
  An Ounce of Prevention, Inc., works to reduce poor health outcomes and improve overall well-being by helping the public become more aware of preventive care issues.
  www.anounceofpreventioninc.com
  


• Society for Women's Health Research
  The Society for Women's Health Research is a nonprofit organization working to improve the health of all women through research, education and advocacy.
  www.womenshealthresearch.org

Immunization issues

• Texas Department of State Health Services Immunization Branch
  The Immunization Branch works to improve the quality and longevity of life for Texans by achieving and maintaining a vaccine-preventable, disease-free environment.
  www.immunizetexas.com
  


• National Vaccine Program Office
  The National Vaccine Program Office, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is responsible for coordinating the collaboration of the many federal agencies involved in vaccine and immunization activities.
  www.hhs.gov/nvpo
  


• National Immunization Program
  The National Immunization Program, part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, provides leadership for the planning, coordination and conduct of immunization activities nationwide.
  www.cdc.gov/nip
  


• National Network for Immunization Information
  The National Network for Immunization Information works to provide the public, health professionals, policy-makers and the media with up-to-date, scientifically valid information related to immunization, to help them understand the issues and make informed decisions.
  www.immunizationinfo.org
  


• Immunization Action Coalition
  The Immunization Action Coalition is a nonprofit organization, working to raise immunization rates and prevent disease by creating and distributing educational materials for health professionals and the public that enhance the delivery of safe and effective immunization services.
  www.immunize.org
  


• American Academy of Pediatrics
  The American Academy of Pediatrics' recommended 2007 immunization schedule.
  www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/jan07immsch.htm