A health screening refers to a medical examination, test, or procedure that’s used in a person experiencing no specific symptoms to help determine their risk of developing a health condition.
Screenings are an important part of preventive health and become more important with age. In many cases, early detection could
There are many different types of tests. Some have recommended guidelines and are performed at different yearly intervals, while others might only be carried out once during your lifetime.
Some screenings are also targeted for certain populations, such as older adults, pregnant people, and those assigned male or female at birth. On the other hand, some screenings are recommended for everyone throughout their lifetime.
While screenings may effectively help detect healthcare conditions in their earliest stages, they’re not always useful. Sometimes, they can lead to misdiagnosis, unnecessary treatment, and anxiety.
Keep reading to learn more about healthcare screenings by age and how to connect with a doctor in your area.
Common health tests for all ages
Healthcare professionals often measure your vitals as part of a routine checkup. Vitals are measurements of your body’s essential functions. Normal measurements may include:
- Blood pressure: 90 to 140 mm Hg for systolic and 60 to 90 mm Hg for diastolic
- Heart rate: 60 to 100 beats per minute
- Respiratory rate: 12 to 20 breaths per minute
- Core temperature: 95.9°F to 99°F (35.5°C to 37.2°C)
- Blood oxygenation: greater than 96%
In many cases, a doctor will also check your blood glucose levels. Normal fasting levels are between 70 and 100 milligrams per deciliter.
Results outside of these ranges may indicate an underlying health condition that can require further testing and, if necessary, treatment.
These tests will often be recommended for people of all ages.
A doctor may wish to see an infant several times per year until age 2 years to check on their physical, psychological, and social growth and development. These checkups are commonly referred to as well-child visits.
In many cases, these checkups are carried out with a pediatrician or a family physician.
Along with checking their vitals, health screening for infants may include:
- a physical examination of their eyes, heart, hips, and testicles (for those assigned male at birth)
- body weight and height measurements
- blood tests for genetic conditions, such as for sickle cell disease
- eyesight tests
- hearing tests
- behavioral, speech, and movement tests
Healthcare professionals recommend several health screenings for children ages 3 to 12 years. Some may be done yearly, while others have slightly longer intervals.
Many people choose for their child to visit a doctor before the school year begins, which is why they’re sometimes called back-to-school checkups.
Some common health screenings for children may include:
- vital signs, such as blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and heart rate
- a physical examination, including body mass index (BMI)
- a neurological examination, such as reflex, language, and memory assessments
- vision acuity tests, at least once every 2 years
- hearing tests, such as an audiogram
- dental examinations, checking tooth, gum, tongue, and jaw health, at least once every year
- a skin examination, at least once every 1 to 1.5 years if there’s a family history of skin cancer
Along with physical, vision, dental, and vital signs examinations, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends screenings for the following health conditions in adolescents:
- anxiety and depression
- dependency disorders, such as alcohol use disorder
- sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia and gonorrhea
- hepatitis B
- HIV
- obesity
- tuberculosis
- dyslipidemia
Most people experience physiological changes between the ages of
During this time, you may experience a wide range of changes, such as hormonal and emotional fluctuations and physical changes. For instance, females may experience menstruation and an increase in breast size, while males may experience a deeper voice and genital changes.
This is also the period where some health screenings are recommended for either males or females, although there are no clinical guidelines for these examinations.
Females may consider breast self-examinations to check for atypical lumps, while males can perform a testicular self-examination.
Routine health screenings become more common during adulthood, as this is the period when health conditions are more likely to develop.
Routine screenings are typically carried out every 1 to 5 years, depending on the screening test, your health condition, and any risk factors you might have.
The
Dental, vision, hearing, and mental health tests are recommended at least once every 2 years.
A doctor may also recommend health screenings for infectious diseases, cancer, or other health conditions if you have a weakened immune system or a family history of certain health conditions.
The
Females are encouraged to get screened for cervical cancer starting in their 20s. This may include a PAP smear test every 3 years starting at age 21 years, or an HPV test every
Clinical breast examinations may also be recommended if you have a history of breast cancer in your family.
A healthcare professional can help you determine how often you should have your vitals checked and other health screenings.
Do pregnant people require any health screenings?
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that pregnant people be screened for hepatitis B and get Rh(D) blood typing and antibody testing at the first prenatal appointment.
It also recommends being screened for syphilis infection early in pregnancy.
This is the period where health screening guidelines become more prominent, especially for heart disease and certain types of cancer.
Routine health screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and mental health are recommended. A doctor may also advise more frequent screenings, depending on your health condition.
Everyone is encouraged to get screened for the following conditions:
- Skin cancer: At least once every 1.5 years if you have a family history of skin cancer.
- Lung cancer: Once yearly from ages 50 to 80 years if you have a history of smoking 20 packs per year and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.
- Colorectal cancer: At least once every
1 to 10 years from age 45 to 75 years, depending on the type of colorectal screening test used.
Females are encouraged to get screened for the following conditions:
- Breast cancer: A mammogram once every 2 years from ages 40 to 74 years.
- Cervical cancer: An HPV test once every
5 years or a PAP smear once every 3 years, until age 65 years.
Males are encouraged to get screened for prostate cancer starting at age 40 years if they have any risk factors, or every 2 to 4 years from age 50 to 69 years if they don’t have any risk factors.
Some health screening tests recommended for people over age 65 years are the same as those for middle-aged adults, including tests for skin, breast, lung, colorectal, cervical, and prostate cancers.
While some of these tests may only be recommended until you reach a certain age in your 60s and 70s, speak with your doctor about the possibility of getting screened as you continue to get older.
Routine health screening tests for your vitals, vision, hearing, and general mobility are also recommended. However, these may become more frequent, so it’s important to work closely with your healthcare team.
Some new health screening tests are recommended for people ages 65 years and older:
- Osteoporosis: At least once for females 65 years and older.
- Abdominal aortic aneurysms: At least once in your lifetime if you’ve ever smoked.
Health screenings are medical tests that can help detect any underlying health conditions in people who don’t experience any symptoms.
Screening tests for vision, hearing, dental health, blood sugar, and vital signs like blood pressure are recommended for people of all ages.
However, some tests are recommended for certain populations, such as older adults or people assigned male or female at birth.
A healthcare professional can help you determine which health screening tests are appropriate for you and how frequently you might need them.