An ounce of prevention is worth a pound

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. ” ~Benjamin Franklin

Why bother? o o o Screen for diseases Assess risk of future medical problems Encourage a healthy lifestyle Update vaccinations Maintain a relationship with a health care provider in case of an illness

In good health and symptom free?

Doctors Recommend ¤ Complete physical: under age 30 is every 2 -3 years, age 30 -40 is every 1 -2 years, annually at age 50 ¤ Blood pressure check: Every 2 years. ¤ Cholesterol test: If you are age 20 or older and have not been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, every 4 -6 years

¤ Reproductive exam: Every 3 years if sexually active or 21 and up; STD screenings yearly if sexually active always prior to activity with a new partner. ¤ Skin exam: Self-examination once a month, talk to your doctor about when they think you should have your skin examined

¤ Eye exam: Before age 40 every 2 -4 years, age 40 -54 every 1 -3 years, age 55 -64 every 1 -2 years, and age 65 and up every 6 -12 months ¤ Hearing exam: Starting at 18 every 5 years until the age of 45 then it is every 3 years ¤ Dental exam: Once or twice a year to check teeth, gums, tongue and mouth – especially if you use tobacco.

Before Any Visit o Make a list of questions or concerns you have o Write down names and doses of medications o Bring vaccine record

Document your family health history and take that information with you. Create a family health tree at : www. familyhistory. hhs. gov

For more information on this topic go to contact your family health care provider or visit: Health Services Wells Hall 270 -809 -3809 In the case of emergency call: Public Safety 270 -809 -2222 To use an on campus phone to dial a campus number dial the last 4 digits of the phone number

References: https: //www. nlm. nih. gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002125. htm; http: //www. aihhp. org/your-hearing/routine-hearing-checks-how-often/; http: //www. glaucoma. org/q-a/how-often-should-i-have-my-eyes-tested. php; http: //www. cancer. org/cancercauses/sunanduvexposure/skincancerpr eventionandearlydetection/skin-cancer-prevention-and-early-detection-skinexams; http: //www. heart. org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/Symptoms. Diagn osis. Monitoringof. High. Cholesterol/How-To-Get-Your-Cholesterol. Tested_UCM_305595_Article. jsp#. Vw. Gnr 3 qe. U 4 B; http: //www. ushistory. org/franklin/quotable/quote 67. htm; https: //www. dukemedicine. org/blog/should-you-get-annual-physical