Preventive Screening
Catch problems before symptoms. Many killers (hypertension, cancer, diabetes) are silent until advanced (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, 2021).
Objective
Complete all age-appropriate preventive screenings on schedule. Early detection dramatically improves outcomes for most conditions.
The Protocol
Everyone 18+:
- Annual blood pressure check
Everyone 20+:
- Lipid panel every 4-6 years (more often if risk factors)
Everyone 45+:
- Diabetes screening (earlier if overweight)
Women 21+:
- Pap smear every 3-5 years per guidelines
Everyone 45-50+:
- Colon cancer screening (colonoscopy every 10y or annual FIT test)
Smokers/former smokers 50+:
- Discuss lung CT screening with physician
Always:
- Stay current on vaccinations (flu yearly, COVID as recommended)
- If anything abnormal: follow up immediately. Don’t wait.
Cadence
- Annually: Schedule annual physical; complete all due screenings
- As due: Follow age-specific screening schedules
- Immediately: Follow up on any abnormal results
KPIs
| Indicator | Type | Target | How to measure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screenings complete | Leading | 100% of due screenings | Checklist against guidelines |
| Annual physical scheduled | Leading | 1/year | Calendar |
| Blood pressure | Lagging | <130/80 | Measurement at checkup |
| LDL cholesterol | Lagging | Per physician target | Lab results |
| Fasting glucose | Lagging | <100 mg/dL | Lab results |
Failure Modes
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Forgetting to schedule | Set annual calendar reminder; link to birthday or new year |
| Avoiding due to anxiety | Reframe: finding problems early is better than late |
| Cost barrier | Many screenings covered by insurance; community health centers offer sliding scale |
| Abnormal result ignored | Schedule follow-up immediately; avoidance increases risk |
| Don’t know what’s due | Use USPSTF guidelines or ask physician for personalized schedule |
Related
- Complement: Optimize_Sleep (foundational health)
- Complement: Train_Aerobic (reduces risk factors detected by screening)
- Concept: Circadian_Rhythm (sleep affects metabolic markers)
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (2021). A and B Recommendations. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation-topics/uspstf-a-and-b-recommendations