Your Preventive Care Checklist: Key Screenings by Decade

Preventive care is about catching issues before they become serious. What to prioritize shifts through the decades, so it helps to know what is relevant now.

In your 20s and 30s

Establish a baseline. Regular blood pressure checks, cholesterol screening, and staying current on vaccines set the foundation. Mental health check-ins matter just as much.

In your 40s and 50s

Screening ramps up. This is when many guidelines recommend beginning checks for blood sugar, colorectal cancer, and, depending on individual risk, other age-appropriate screenings.

Talk to a provider

Guidelines are general; your personal history and risk factors fine-tune them. A quick conversation with a provider turns a generic checklist into a plan that fits you.