Health Screening Guidelines for Men 18 to 39
Screening tests and health counseling are an important part of managing your health. A screening test is done to find diseases in people who don't have any symptoms, or may be at a higher risk. The goal is to find a disease early so lifestyle changes and checkups can reduce the risk of disease. Or the goal may be to find it early to treat it most effectively. Screening tests are not used to diagnose a disease. But they are used to see if more testing is needed. Below are guidelines for these, for men ages 18 to 39. Talk with your healthcare provider to make sure you’re up-to-date on what you need.
Screening | Who needs it | How often |
Alcohol misuse | All adults | At routine exams |
Blood pressure | All adults | Yearly checkup if your blood pressure is normal Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg If your blood pressure is higher than normal, follow the advice of your healthcare provider |
Depression | All adults who have access to healthcare provider for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up | At routine exams |
Diabetes mellitus, type 2 | Adults who have no symptoms and are overweight or obese and have one or more extra risk factors for diabetes (such as having a close family member with diabetes or if the adult is African American, Latino, Native American, or Asian American.) | At least every 3 years (yearly if blood sugar has started to rise or if risk factors are present) |
Hepatitis C | If at increased risk | At routine exams |
HIV | All men at increased risk | At routine exams |
High cholesterol and triglycerides | Cholesterol should be checked at least once between ages 17 and 21. All men ages 35 and older, and younger men at high risk for coronary artery disease | At least every 4 to 6 years |
Obesity | All adults | At routine exams. Talk with your healthcare provider if your BMI is 30 or higher. |
Syphilis | Anyone at increased risk for infection | At routine exams |
Chlamydia | Anyone at increased risk for infection | At routine exams |
Gonorrhea | Anyone at increased risk for infection | At routine exams |
Tuberculosis | Anyone at increased risk for infection | Check with your healthcare provider |
Vision | All men in this age group | Yearly comprehensive and vision exam |
Counseling | Who needs it | How often |
Diet and exercise | Adults who are overweight or obese | When diagnosed and at routine exams |
Sexually transmitted infection prevention | Men who are sexually active | At routine visits |
Skin cancer | Prevention of skin cancer in fair-skinned adults through age 24 | At routine visits |
Tobacco use and tobacco-related disease | All adults | Every exam |
© 2000-2024 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
