Preventive Care

Preventive health encompasses a set of health services meant to screen and possibly identify health issues before symptoms develop. Preventive healthcare can help you live a longer, healthier life. It is usually administered by a primary care physician (PCP). Adult preventive healthcare typically includes screenings for conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, as well as counseling for smoking cessation, if needed, and balanced eating habits. It may also include vaccinations.

For children, preventive healthcare includes yearly checkups, vaccinations, and screenings for conditions like autism and lead poisoning. Children’s preventive healthcare is usually administered by a pediatrician, a doctor who specializes in children’s health, or a family physician, who specializes in comprehensive care for individuals from childhood through adulthood.