Stay ahead of health issues with preventive care
At every age, regular wellness visits, screenings and vaccinations help you maintain your health, catch problems early or avoid them altogether. Identifying and addressing potential health risks early can often help people to have healthier, longer lives and avoid costly treatments.
A primary care provider provides preventive care services, based on your health needs.
Taking a proactive approach to your health starts with understanding what preventive care includes and when to schedule your next wellness visit.
You can also:
- Find a primary care provider accepting new patients
- Find a primary care location near you
What is preventive care?
Preventive care is routine healthcare that helps prevent illness, detect diseases early and identify potential health concerns before symptoms develop. It focuses on check-ups, vaccines and screenings – rather than treating established conditions.
Annual wellness exams are a key part of preventive care, along with personalized recommendations based on your age, health history and risk factors.
Recommended screenings during your wellness exam may include blood pressure checks, cholesterol testing, cancer screenings, diabetes screening and other services based on your age, health history and personal health risks.
Preventive care is important, no matter your age
Healthcare visits aren’t just for when you feel sick or when a problem arises. At every age, a preventive care visit helps you maintain your health.
Preventive care helps:
- Detect health issues early, when treatment is most effective
- Reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer
- Protect yourself with recommended screenings and immunizations
- Save time, stress and long term healthcare costs
- Support mental and emotional well-being through screenings and discussion
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Preventive care you can expect as you age
Preventive care is not one size fits all.
As you age and your health changes, so does your care. Your primary care provider helps guide preventive care decisions based on your age, gender, family history and personal risk factors.
Preparing for your wellness visit
Getting ready for your appointment can help you make the most of your time with your provider.
Frequently asked questions
What are some examples of common health screenings during a wellness exam?
Screening recommendations vary based on age, gender, family history and personal risk factors.
Screenings may include:
- Breast cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Cholesterol
- Colorectal cancer
- Heart health
- Lung cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Vascular health
What’s the difference between preventive and diagnostic care?
Preventive care helps prevent illness or identify health concerns before symptoms appear. Diagnostic care is used to evaluate symptoms, illnesses or existing health conditions and may involve additional testing or treatment.
What if I don’t have a primary care provider?
We have family medicine and internal medicine providers across Wisconsin and Michigan who are accepting new patients. Find one today.
How can I schedule a wellness exam?
Scheduling an appointment is easy. You can:
- Call your local clinic
- Self-schedule online (new and existing patients)
- Self-schedule through My Marshfield Clinic, athenahealth or FollowMyHealth (existing patients only)
Care and teams you can trust
Preventive care recommendations at Marshfield Clinic are based on evidence based guidelines and national standards, including guidance from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Preventive care is provided through our primary care teams in:
Content reviewed by Marshfield Clinic Primary Care on 8/5.