Taking good care of your health is a lifelong commitment, and different stages of life carry unique health considerations. Routine checkups are critical and common to every stage of life. Below are lists of important reminders for women and men in every stage of life, courtesy of UnitedHealthcare. No matter what age you are, be sure to ask your doctor if you are current on shots, screenings and services such as these.*
WOMEN
Teens – catch-up and booster vaccines; HPV vaccines
Young Adults – blood pressure screening; cervical cancer screening; STD screening and counseling (if sexually active)
Pregnant Women – gestational diabetes screening; prenatal checkups
Midlife – cholesterol screening; colorectal cancer screening; mammograms
Older Adults – bone density screening; pneumonia vaccines; shingles vaccines
MEN
Teens – catch-up and booster vaccines; HPV vaccines
Young Adults – blood pressure screening; STD screening and counseling (if sexually active)
Midlife – cholesterol screening; colorectal cancer screening
Older Adults – pneumonia vaccines; shingles vaccines
Additionally, both males and females 6 months and older should receive a yearly flu vaccine. (Side note: Each year, GW offers free flu shots to faculty, staff and retirees during the Open Enrollment fairs in October!)
Learn more about what preventive care you may need on the UHC preventive care website.
*Please note: This is not a complete list of the healthcare services you may need or that are available to you. Speak with your doctor about what may be right for you, and check your benefit plan to see what services may be covered. These guidelines are provided for informational purposes only, and do not constitute medical advice. Individuals with symptoms or who are at high risk for disease may require additional services or more frequent interventions. For information about specific health plan coverage, please refer to GW’s plan documents at https://benefits.gwu.edu or call the toll-free number on the back of your UHC ID card.
