Health Checklist for the New Year

Written by Kelly S. Preston

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Start the new year off on a healthy note by scheduling a physical exam with your doctor. In addition to eating a healthy diet, being physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends the following screening tests and other preventive measures for good health.

For Men

• Have your cholesterol tested every five years, beginning at age 35. If you smoke, have diabetes, or have a family history of heart disease, start having your cholesterol checked at age 20.
• Check your blood pressure every two years.
• Get a diabetes screening test if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
• Talk with your doctor about your need for a prostate cancer screening test.
• Talk with your doctor about screening for depression if you have been feeling sad, or "down," or if you've felt little interest in participating in life for two weeks straight.
• Talk with your doctor about taking aspirin to help prevent heart disease.
• Stay up-to-date with your immunizations.

For Women

• Have your cholesterol tested regularly, beginning at age 45. If you smoke, have diabetes, or have a family history of heart disease, start having your cholesterol checked at age 20.
• Check your blood pressure every two years.
• Get a diabetes screening test if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
• Schedule mammograms every one to two years starting at age 40 and pap smears every one to three years at age 21.
• Talk with your doctor about screening for depression if you have been feeling sad, or "down," or if you've felt little interest in participating in life for two weeks straight.
• Talk with your doctor about taking aspirin to help prevent heart disease, the risks of hormones after menopause, and the benefits of taking medicines to prevent breast cancer (if your mother, sister, or daughter has had breast cancer).
• Stay up-to-date with your immunizations.

Kelly S. Preston, RN, MSN, specializes in congregational health ministry. She is currently serving as a consultant for health promotion and health ministry initiatives for various organizations and companies. She lives with her husband, Jason, and their yellow lab, Sipsey, in Lebanon, Ohio.

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