Preventative Care: Are You Up-To-Date?

Yearly preventative care appointments are often overlooked—and we understand why.

Our healthcare system isn’t designed to educate or effectively close the gaps in life-saving preventive care. In fact, only 8% of adults are up to date on all recommended preventive services.

This is the reality- preventative screenings can add years to your life. Studies show that preventive care could save over 100,000 lives each year in the U.S. alone. The most astounding fact: most insurance plans—including Medicare and most private insurance—cover these services completely, with no copays or deductibles.

A major concern: Skipping appointments and essential screenings increases risks of serious conditions like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. There is an increased potential of challenges/complications if one waits till symptoms appear.

We are your partner in optimizing your health. This guide was created to reduce the confusion that so many patients have about preventative screenings. It outlines the age-based screenings you need and when to schedule them appropriately.

Understanding Preventive Care

Preventative care is your early warning system.

These are check-ups and screenings you can receive, designed to detect concerns before they become serious. Vaccines are pharmaceuticals that reduce or eliminate the risk of infectious diseases. Similar to servicing done on your car, preventative screenings are meant to be opportunities to check on important aspects of your health during different stages of your life to promote long-term health and well-being.

Here's How Preventive Care Actually Works

Primary prevention halts disease before it starts. This includes vaccines that protect you from illness, counseling on exercise and a balanced diet to prevent the development of high blood pressure or diabetes, and medications like statins when they are used to prevent heart attacks in people at high risk.

Secondary prevention: detects disease in its early stages. Mammograms potentially find breast cancer in a localized state. Colonoscopies potentially detect high-risk polyps before they become cancer. Blood pressure checks can identify high-blood pressure before it results in a heart attack or stroke. These screenings find problems when you still have the best options and outcomes.

Tertiary prevention manages existing conditions to reduce the risk of irreversible impact. If you have diabetes, regular eye exams can prevent complications like blindness. If you've had a heart attack, starting medications like aspirin can reduce the risk of recurrence. It may not be a cure, but a means of reducing a disease’s devastating impact.

Challenges in the Pursuit of Preventative Care

One thing is for certain- our healthcare system is challenging to navigate.

Here is a known fact: Individuals who are up to date on recommended preventative screenings live longer, healthier lives. They spend less on healthcare overall. The potential is high for detecting serious problems earlier, when treatment is most beneficial. You will have peace of mind knowing that you are following screening measures recommended to optimize your health and wellness.

The Science Behind Early Detection- The Critical Window

The Critical Window

Here's something many don't realize: waiting on health evaluations increases the risk of treatments being ineffective.

Many serious health concerns—cancer, heart disease, diabetes—develop silently for years.

The "critical window” is when early detection and life-saving treatments are most effective:

• Breast cancer screening saves lives: Mammograms reduce breast cancer deaths by about 20-40% in women
• Colon cancer is preventable: Colonoscopy can prevent 60% of colorectal cancer deaths by finding and removing polyps before they turn cancerous
• Early treatment works better: When cancer is detected at Stage 1 in comparison to Stage 4, treatment is often simpler— surgery versus surgery plus chemotherapy and radiation. Patients diagnosed with localized breast cancer have a 99% five-year survival rate, compared to 31% for those with distant-stage disease.
• Communities benefit too: Preventative care on the individual level can reduce disease prevalence in the entire community- Studies show that every dollar spent on childhood vaccines saves $3 in direct healthcare costs and $10 in societal costs.

Debunking Myths- What You Don’t Know Could Hurt You

These common beliefs about preventative care keep people from getting the help they deserve.

• "I feel fine, so I don't need screening" — Cancer, heart disease, and diabetes do not always announce themselves.  Half of people with diabetes don't know they have it. By the time you ‘feel something’, there is potential you have missed the window for early treatment and reduced complications.
• "It's too expensive" — Under the Affordable Care Act, most insurance plans must cover preventive services at 100%—no copays, no deductibles. If you have coverage under Medicare, Medicaid, and/or private insurances, you will have coverage,
• "I'm too young (or too old)" — Prevention appears different at every age, but maintains the same importance. Children receive vaccines and developmental screenings. Young adults are screened for behavioral health concerns, sexually transmitted illnesses, and risky sexual practices. Middle-aged adults are recommended to pursue multiple cancer screenings. Older adults undergo fall prevention and cognitive assessments.
• "My family has no health problems" — Genetics contribute to a portion of your risks. About 70% of chronic diseases are driven by lifestyle factors—not family history. Your environmental factors, such as stress levels, diet, and daily habits can affect your health outcomes greatly.
• "One test is enough" — Your body changes, therefore following recommended screening intervals is vital. A normal mammogram at 45 doesn't protect you at 50. A “normal” colonoscopy at 50 will still require repeat colonoscopy at 60. Screenings are more effective when detecting changes over time.

Preventive Care Through The Years

Let’s break down the types of screenings, procedures, and preventative healthcare tests you should have.

Cancer Screenings

Heart Health

Vaccines

Bone Health

Mental Health

Vision & Hearing

Dental Health

Sexual Health

Women's Health

Men's Health

Sleep Health

Lifestyle Factors

Your Solace Advocate: Making Prevention Possible

We know the reality: even with all this information, actually getting preventive care can feel overwhelming.

Which screenings do you need first? How do you find specialists who accept your insurance? What if your doctor dismisses your concerns or rushes through the appointment? What happens when your insurance denies coverage for something that should be covered?

That's where your Solace advocate steps in.

Your advocate will work alongside you to prioritize preventative screenings and make it happen.  They'll assist with the screenings that are most important for your specific situation, find available providers, and schedule appointments that work for you. Your advocate may join virtually, ensuring your questions are answered and nothing important is missed.

Because knowing what you need is only the first step. Getting it shouldn't require hours on hold or persistent fighting with insurance companies. Your advocate handles the logistics so you can focus on what matters most—taking care of your health.

The bottom line: Preventative care can add years to your life and life to your years. Solace advocates are here to be in your corner, with a key opening the door to guidance and support. Ready to get caught up on your preventive care? Your advocate is ready to help you get started.

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be substituted for professional advice. Information is subject to change. Consult your healthcare provider or a qualified professional for guidance on medical issues, financial concerns, or healthcare benefits.