Q: What exactly is preventative care?
A: Per Patient Advocate Foundation there are 3 levels to preventative care.
- Primary Prevention : Which is made up of basic and general education and awareness around health and wellness, safety and precautions, nutrition and preventative practices. This is the stage BEFORE a disease is present.
- Secondary Prevention : This is support AFTER a patient has been diagnosed. The purpose is to manage the illness to prevent worsening.
- Tertiary Prevention : This is support for LONG TERM DISEASE management. Which can include rehabilitation and recovery or support groups.
What Could Preventative Care Look Like?
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm- one-time screening for men of specified ages who have ever smoked.
- Alcohol Misuse- screening and counseling.
- Aspirin- use for men and women of certain ages.
- Blood Pressure- screening for all adults.
- Cholesterol- screening for adults of certain ages or at higher risk
- Cancer- screening for adults over 50, including mammograms and colonoscopies.
- Behavioral Health Support- including depression, anxiety and other behavioral health screening for adults.
- Diabetes- screening for adults with high blood pressure.
- Diet and Healthful Eating- counseling for adults at higher risk for chronic disease.
- HIV- screening for all adults at higher risk.
- Immunization vaccines for adults- recommended populations vary:
Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Herpes Zoster, Human Papillomavirus, Influenza, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Meningococcal, Pneumococcal, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis, and Varicella
- Obesity- screening and counseling for all adults.
- Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)- prevention counseling for adults at higher risk.
- Tobacco Use- screening for all adults and cessation interventions for tobacco users.
- Syphilis- screening for all adults at higher risk.
Did you know?
Adults are entitled to the above mentioned preventative services WITHOUT having to pay a copayment or co-insurance to meet their deductible.
“Preventive healthcare” in the eyes of the Affordable Care Act
See you soon & Thank You for your presence.
JamiQuan R. MSW, QMHP
Older Adult Behavioral Health Specialist
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