Adapted from information provided by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; based on research findings from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Daily Steps to Good Health
• Be tobacco free.
• Be physically active.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.
SCREENING TESTS AND PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
Heart and Vascular Diseases
• Aspirin to prevent heart attack: Men at risk* — Ages 50 to 80.
• Aspirin to prevent stroke: Women at risk* — Ages 55 to 80.
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Test: Once for men who have smoked — Ages 65 to 75.
• Blood Pressure Screening Test: All men and women — Ages 50 and older, at least every 2 years.
• Cholesterol Screening Test: All men and women — Ages 50 and older.
• Diabetes Screening Test: Men and women — Ages 50 and older with high blood pressure.
Cancer
• Breast Cancer Screening (Mammogram): All women — Ages 50 and older, every 1 to 2 years.
• Breast Cancer Preventive Medicines: Women at risk*— Ages 50 to 80.
• Cervical Cancer Screening (Pap Test): All women — Ages 50 to 65, at least every 3 years.
• Colorectal Cancer Screening Test: All men and women — Ages 50 and older.
Bone Disease
• Osteoporosis Screening (Bone Density Scan): Women at risk* — Ages 60 to 65, and all women — Ages 65 and older.
Sexual Health
• HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening Tests: Men and women at risk* — Ages 50 and older.
Mental Health
• Depression Screening: All men and women — Ages 50 and older.
Immunizations
• Flu Vaccine: All men and women — Ages 50 and older, annually.
• Other Vaccines: You can prevent some serious diseases, such as pneumonia, whooping cough, tetanus, and shingles, by being vaccinated. Talk with your doctor or nurse about which vaccines you need and when to get them.
* Being at risk means that you may be more likely to develop a specific disease or condition. Whether you are at risk depends on your family history, things you do or don’t do (such as exercising regularly or using tobacco), and other health conditions you might have (such as diabetes). If you think you might be at risk for a specific disease, talk with your doctor.
source: national institute on aging web site
