Preventive care is one of the most effective ways to protect your long-term health, but it’s not always clear what it includes or what appointments really matter. Between annual physicals, dental cleanings, and screenings like skin checks or colonoscopies, trying to stay healthy can feel like a full-time job.

But as cancer rates are on the rise for young adults, keeping up with routine checkups and screenings has never been more important. The good news? Preventive care is easily manageable once you know what to prioritize. 

This guide breaks down what a typical preventive care routine can look like, which screenings matter at different ages, and how to stay organized — so you can take a proactive, empowered approach to your health.

Why an annual preventive visit matters

Annual primary care visits serve as the foundation of preventive care. During an annual visit, your primary care provider (PCP) helps lay the groundwork for staying healthy. They’ll review changes in your health, your family health history, order blood work, and identify if there are any screenings and vaccinations appropriate for your age and risk factors. 

For many patients, these check-ups are brief — just a quick in and out once your vitals are taken and that personal and family history is updated. But your physical is a great time to ask questions and discuss your health, even if you have no immediate concerns. 

“Your primary care provider (PCP) plays a central role in supporting your health,” says Dr. Raj Hazarika, MD, SM, vice president and chief medical officer for commercial products at Point32Health — the parent company of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Tufts Health Plan. “They are there to listen and answer questions, ensuring that your well-being remains the focus.”

Through a yearly touch base, your medical provider can guide you toward the right preventive screenings based on your age, health, and history — helping catch concerns early, often before symptoms appear.

Screenings as you age

Your PCP will tailor recommendations to your individual needs, but knowing which screenings are typically recommended at different ages can help you approach your physical with confidence.

For younger adults, preventive care centers on building consistent habits, such as keeping up with annual wellness visits, cervical cancer screenings, and routine skin checks, which help establish a baseline for long-term health. As you enter midlife, conversations about mammograms, when to begin colorectal cancer screening, diabetes screenings, and continuing cervical and skin checks become more important. Later in life, regular colorectal screenings, prostate screenings, bone density tests, and lung cancer screenings for those who qualify, often take priority. While some of these examples are dependent on your sex assigned at birth and don’t include every possible screening, they do highlight many of the common ones. 

Throughout every decade, it’s also essential to stay on top of year-round measures like blood pressure and cholesterol screenings. Blood pressure should be checked regularly starting in early adulthood — which can be easily done during in-office visits — and cholesterol screenings often begin around age 20, with specific timing based on individual risk factors. 

For all ages, prioritizing your mental health is as important as keeping up with physical screenings. A yearly mental health check-in with your PCP, behavioral health provider, or therapist can help you stay ahead of stress or shifts in mood.

“Your PCP will be able to personalize their recommendations, ensuring you prioritize what aligns with your age, sex, overall health, and family history,” Dr. Hazarika notes.

Other appointments to consider

We’ve covered annual preventive visits and screenings, but where do doctors like dentists and optometrists fit into the equation? Even though eye exams, dental cleanings, and other specialty visits can be easy to put off, these routine visits play an important role in catching issues early and supporting overall health.

While you should always discuss with your doctor what’s best for your health needs, most adults might consider scheduling the following:

• Dental cleanings every 6 months to prevent cavities and gum disease

• An eye exam every 1-2 years to check vision, eye health, and any underlying conditions

Keeping up with specialty visits is also an important way to spot early signs of health issues throughout your body.

“It’s not uncommon for optometrists or dentists to notice issues with the eyes or inside the mouth that are actually symptoms for larger health conditions,” says Dr. Hazarika. “For example, blurred vision can be a symptom of diabetes, as can swollen or inflamed gums.”

Be proactive about preventive care

Keeping up with your health doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start by scheduling appointments in advance, ideally around the same time each year so they become part of your routine. Consider using digital reminders, like calendar alerts, so you don’t forget when an appointment is coming up. 

Before each visit, jot down any questions or changes you’ve noticed in your health to share with your doctor. It’s also helpful to review your health benefits so you know which screenings, vaccines, and specialty visits are considered preventive and are covered at no cost to you. Most health plans offer online member portals to review your benefits documents. Harvard Pilgrim Health Care’s member portal also has tools its members can use to find providers, browse health topics, and access well-being programs. 

Preventive care doesn’t require doing everything at once — it’s about taking small, consistent steps that protect your health over time. Starting with a simple annual check-in can help build momentum, stay organized, and feel more confident about what to prioritize each year. 

And you don’t have to navigate it alone. Your PCP can suggest the screenings and specialty visits that fit your age, health history, and goals, while your health plan can provide coverage information and preventive care resources to support you along the way. When you make preventive care a regular habit, you’re giving yourself the best chance to catch concerns early, stay ahead of potential issues, and support your long-term well-being — one appointment at a time.

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, a Point32Health company, provides nationally ranked health plans and care-based programs and services to nearly 900,000 members in New England and beyond. Founded by doctors more than 50 years ago, it builds on that legacy and partnerships through an expansive network of doctors and hospitals nationwide to improve health outcomes and lower costs through clinical quality and innovative care management. A leading, not-for-profit health and well-being company, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care guides members — and the communities it serves — to better health each day.