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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.

Gender words are used here to talk about anatomy and health risk. Please use this information in a way that works best for you and your provider as you talk about your care

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

Medical Reviewers:

  • L Renee Watson MSN RN
  • Rita Sather RN