Getting the Preventive Services You Need

When you’re young, you may not think much about going to the doctor unless you’re sick or hurt. But your doctor is there in sickness and in health. They may provide “preventive services” that can detect disease or help prevent disease or other problems. It is important to get these services when you are a teenager or young adult.

Many conditions that occur later in life start when you are younger. About 65% of all adult deaths are caused by heart disease, cancer, and stroke. In many cases, these diseases are preventable. Many of the behaviors that cause these diseases begin at a young age. For example, teens who use tobacco are more likely to have heart disease, cancer, or stroke as adults.

Path to better health

The preventive service you need may be a test, a shot, or your doctor’s advice. The preventive services you need depend on your age, medical history, and family history. For teens and young adults, there are several key areas your doctor will likely focus on. These include:

• Social and behavioral health
• Immunizations (shots)
• Healthy habits
• sexual and reproductive health
• confidential attention
• Patient and parent information

Social and behavioral health

Adolescents and young adults face many problems every day that affect their social and behavioral health. These could include violence, harassment, bullying, or drug use. These types of problems can affect you in many ways. You may be experiencing depression, anxiety, or an eating disorder. You may experiment with drugs or have unprotected sex. It’s important to talk to your family doctor if you’re having problems with any of these things. You should also talk to your doctor if you have any of these warning signs:

• agitation or restlessness
• Weight loss or gain
• A drop in ratings
• trouble concentrating
• Continuous feelings of sadness.
• Not worrying about people or things.
• Lack of motivation
• Feeling tired, low energy.
• Lack of interest in activities.
• Low self-esteem
• trouble sleeping

vaccines

Immunizations (also called shots) are an important part of preventive services for children, adolescents, and adults. They are safe and effective, and they save lives. The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recommends that patients receive all necessary vaccinations from their primary care physician. These can protect against diseases like measles, chickenpox, meningitis, the flu, COVID, and the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Vaccines you may need as a teen or young adult include:

• The flu vaccine: This is given every year at the start of cold and flu season to protect you from the flu.
• The HPV Vaccine: It helps prevent the spread of the virus, which causes genital warts and various types of cancer (most commonly cervical cancer). The vaccine is given when children are 11-12 years old, but older teens and young adults can still get it.
• The Tdap vaccine: This prevents tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough (whooping cough). Preteens and teens should get vaccinated when they are 11 or 12 years old, but older teens and young adults can also get vaccinated.
• The Meningitis Vaccine: The meningococcal conjugate vaccine is recommended for all preteens and teens ages 11 to 12 with a booster dose at age 16.
• The COVID-10 vaccine: This vaccine is safe for everyone 6 months and older. It helps prevent you from getting COVID-19 and makes your symptoms less severe if you do get the virus.

Healthy habits

Health is more than the absence of disease. It is a state of physical, mental and social well-being. Health is the key to living a productive and fulfilling life. Developing healthy habits as a teen or young adult can lower your chance of getting sick or hurt.

When you talk to your family doctor, you should discuss how you can stay healthy. Talk to your doctor about:

• Your physical health. Exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, get enough sleep, and maintain a healthy weight. Take care of your teeth, use sunscreen, and don’t smoke, vape/use e-cigarettes, or use tobacco.
• Your mental and emotional health. Learn to manage stress and develop a good balance between school, work, and social life. Pay attention to your moods and feelings, and don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.
• Your behavioral health. Stay safe by avoiding substance use or abuse, driving safely, avoiding violence, and practicing safe sex if you are going to be sexually active.

The habits you have now really make a difference when you’re older.

sexual and reproductive health

Becoming sexually active is a big decision. Contact your doctor if you are or are thinking about being sexually active. They can talk about your options to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

There are many ways to protect your sexual health and take care of yourself. Abstinence is the only way to 100% prevent pregnancy and STIs. This means not having vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

If you decide to be sexually active with a member of the opposite sex, you should consider a form of birth control. The different types include a condom, pill, patch, shot, implant, diaphragm, or intrauterine device (IUD). These can help prevent unwanted pregnancies. Condoms are the only method that can prevent both pregnancy and STIs.

Talk to your doctor before you start having sex. They can answer any questions you have about sexual health. They may also prescribe a form of birth control.

confidential care

The AAFP believes that adolescents and young adults should have access to confidential health care. It is important for your health and well-being. You must have the opportunity to see your doctor alone, without a parent or guardian in the room. You should be able to do this whether you are there for an exam or for advice. You need to have confidential personal conversations about making healthy choices.

Patient and parent information

It is important that patients and parents have access to information that will guide adolescents and young adults toward healthy decisions. The AAFP encourages parents and patients to talk with their family doctor about potential teen health risks and how to avoid them.

Things to consider

You may think that because you are young and healthy, you don’t need to see your doctor. But it’s important to see your doctor and get preventive services. Unhealthy decisions when you are young can have consequences later. Preventive services now will protect you and help you make healthy choices throughout your life.

Questions to ask your doctor

• What kind of preventive services do I need at my age?
• Do I need any vaccine?
• What kind of birth control is available to me?
• What can I do now to prevent heart disease, cancer, or stroke in the future?
• How often should I see the doctor for preventive care?

Resources

Preventive Service Recommendations for Adolescents and Young Adults

National Institute of Health, Medline Plus: Health Exams

US Department of Health and Human Services: Clinical Preventive Services for Adolescents

This work is provided through a collaboration between AAP and AAFP and is supported by a grant from Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporatinorth.

Copyright © American Academy of Family Physicians

This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and for more information on this topic.