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NorthShore’s online source for timely health and wellness news, inspiring patient stories and tips to lead a healthy life.
By Endeavor Health
When you’re feeling good, or if you’re a parent and your kids are healthy, it’s easy to breeze through life without scheduling check-ups with a doctor.
With busy schedules, it’s understandable. However, annual visits with a primary care doctor can help kids grow up healthy and help prevent health issues in adults down the road.
“For adults, an annual visit with your primary care doctor is a great way to keep your health on track as you age,” said Jana Mohan, MD, a family medicine physician with Endeavor Health. “Even if you’re feeling great, your annual checkup helps establish a baseline that your doctor can use to track changes in your health over time.”
As kids grow, annual visits with a pediatrician are important to ensure their development is on track and that they receive the immunizations they need at each age.
Making these medical appointments each year will help keep your family’s health on track.
Children (from birth through age 12):
Teenagers:
Teens should continue to see their physician once a year for a checkup, as they’re still growing and developing, and continue the dentist and eye doctor visits. Plus, girls should add on one more appointment:
In your 20s and 30s:
During this age, continue to see your primary care physician (PCP). Get an annual checkup, including a physical exam, blood pressure check and bloodwork, from an internal medicine physician or a family medicine physician. Your doctor will know if you are due for any vaccinations, including a tetanus booster or chickenpox vaccine. Make a calendar note each fall to get a flu shot, and get the COVID-19 vaccine if you haven't already. Plus, add these appointments:
In your 40s, add:
In your 50s, add:
In your 60s, add:
If you have a family history of certain diseases or other risk factors, you may need to have earlier or more frequent appointments and screenings. Ask your PCP what appointments to add to your wellness routine.
NorthShore University HealthSystem, Swedish Hospital, Northwest Community Healthcare and Edward-Elmhurst Health are now united under one name, Endeavor Health. We’re setting a new standard for healthcare that’s focused on you, because your best health is our endeavor. Learn more.
Need a doctor? Find the right one for you.