Do you need an annual physical?
Ninety-two percent of Americans say it’s important to get an annual physical exam, and 62 percent of people polled complete their yearly exams, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll, yet some recent reports have challenged the necessity of this yearly doctor’s visit.
“Taking care of your physical and mental health is invaluable, but at times requires a personal investment,” says Dr. Tony Hampton, family medicine physician with Advocate Medical Group in Chicago. “It’s an investment that will pay you priceless dividends.”
Dr. Hampton offers three reasons to get an annual physical:
- The annual physical provides the opportunity to identify conditions that might be missed. This could include increased blood pressure, diabetes, hypertension, cervical cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and much more.
- Your yearly check-up is an educational opportunity. It allows patients to be updated on important health related information and obtain their baseline health status. It’s also a time to review their risk for various diseases with screening tests and update vaccination status.
- It also strengthens the relationship with a provider who will know your personal health status. This is a valuable partnership which could help extend your life.
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health enews staff is a group of experienced writers from our Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care sites, which also includes freelance or intern writers.
