Small actions add up. This is especially true for our health. Decisions we make today can have a profound impact on results we see down the road. So, those regular checkups and screenings? They can be investments in your well-being—with big returns later on. Seeing a primary doctor regularly allows you to catch health risks early, manage existing conditions and prevent serious complications in the future. Need more convincing to schedule a your next doctor’s visit? Here are six reasons to not overlook preventive care.
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- Establishing a baseline. Your primary care appointments aim to give you a good picture of where your health currently stands. During your visits, your doctor will perform a comprehensive evaluation. This includes a physical exam and checking vital signs, such as weight, blood pressure, temperature and heart rate. They’ll also review your medical and family history and discuss any concerns—all important information for creating a snapshot of your health status.
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- Detecting cancer and chronic conditions early. Many conditions can be prevented or managed when caught early. Appropriate screenings help to identify health problems before they progress, allowing more time for interventions and effective treatments. Through regular checkups, you can monitor and lower your risk for certain chronic conditions, like heart disease and diabetes. Early detection of cancer also means significantly improving survival rates and necessary courses of treatment. For example, breast, prostate and skin cancers often have survival rates as high as 99 percent when caught in stage one or before.
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- Personalizing your health approach. Preventive care helps health care providers develop individualized strategies based on your own risk factors, health history and lifestyle. This can include recommendations for diet, exercise, stress management and other lifestyle modifications. By taking an active approach, you can forge your own personalized path to health and wellness. This is important, since wellness can look different for everyone.
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- Saving money now and later. Investing in preventive care is well worth the time and money upfront. Preventing or reducing the severity of chronic diseases means you’ll avoid more costly treatments down the road. Most health plans also now cover certain preventive care visits completely. You may also have low-cost or no-cost options for access to primary care to help with affording visits.
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- Enhancing quality of life. Feeling better about your health can improve other areas in your life as well. And there’s no substitute for that. By addressing health issues early, you can reduce age-related issues and stay healthier longer. This means more time for spending with family, friends, staying active, having fun and enjoying life.
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- Improving your health literacy. Many people struggle with understanding or using health information proficiently. Engaging in preventive care fosters a proactive approach to health. This encourages you to take control of your well-being so you can make informed decisions about your health. In addition, forming a strong relationship with your primary doctor or other provider can boost your confidence with navigating your benefits and the health care system.
The big takeaway: Our small actions add up. And a longer, healthier life often begins with the choices we make today. Annual preventive care visits help us monitor our health, save time and money later on and increase life expectancy—all compelling reasons to not overlook preventive care. So, those regular checkups and screenings? They’re little deposits you make toward your total health and well-being—something your future self will thank you for.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not meant as medical advice. Are you a broker looking to strengthen primary care strategies for your clients? Contact your local Meritain Health representative for current offerings, strategies and pricing.
