Preventive health care is an umbrella term that covers all of the measures taken by a health care provider and patient to avoid, prevent, or reduce the chances of health problems. At Meridian HealthCare, our providers work hand-in-hand with our patients to proactively deliver the best possible care.
Preventive services change over time (or as chronic diseases develop). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chronic diseases play a major factor in America’s $3.8 trillion annual healthcare costs. Preventive care carries enormous public health benefits, but most Americans don’t seek out the proper preventive health services when they need them.
Preventive care is most commonly associated with a regular checkup at your primary care office, but preventive care covers a range of procedures and services.
Flu shots, as well as vaccinations for diseases like tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, and polio (and boosters), are common preventive care measures for a wide range of patients.
These cancer screening tests are specific to women’s preventive care, and are used to check for the early stages of breast cancer and cervical cancer.
A colonoscopy is used to check for the early stages of colorectal cancer and is one of the easiest ways to prevent colon cancer. Regular screening typically begins at age 45.
Counseling is an important aspect of preventative care in relation to mental health concerns (for both adolescent and adult patients alike): depression, smoking cessation, healthy eating habits, addiction and more.
Checking blood pressure is a regular part of every doctor visit, so most of us don’t think of it as preventive care. However, high blood pressure, especially when combined with other risk factors like smoking or high cholesterol, can put someone at high risk of heart disease or other forms of cardiovascular disease. As of 2019, half of American adults have some form of heart disease.
At Meridian HealthCare, our primary care team works in collaboration to prevent healthcare concerns and deliver the best possible care. Our ability to facilitate truly integrated care sets us apart from other providers and helps patients achieve complete mind-body wellness.
For more information about preventative services from our primary care physicians, reach out to one of our locations!
Meridian Campus
527 North Meridian Rd.
Youngstown, Ohio 44509
Phone: 330-797-0070
Boardman Office
8255 South Ave
Youngstown, OH 44512
Phone: 330-797-0070
Warren Office
320 High Street, NE
Warren, OH 44481
Phone: 330-318-3873
Preventive care is organized into three levels: primary prevention, secondary prevention and tertiary prevention.
Primary prevention means intervention before health problems start. These include vaccinations, avoiding tobacco, drugs, and alcohol, and maintaining a healthy diet.
Secondary prevention involves identifying diseases and catching them in their earliest, most treatable, and most survivable stages.
Tertiary prevention occurs after the diagnosis of a disease. It covers the measures taken to stop or slow down the disease’s progression and its complications. These measures can include chemotherapy and radiation treatment for cancers, rehabilitation following an injury, and improving one’s diet after a type 2 diabetes or obesity diagnosis.
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Most health insurance plans cover preventive care services as specified by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). As always, check with your insurance company to determine your responsibility for copayments, coinsurance, and how it impacts your deductible. Medicare and Medicaid cover many preventive services and screenings, too.
Also, be sure to look into whether or not your employer or insurance offers a wellness program. Wellness programs are an added benefit to many health plans and employment packages (that most aren’t aware of) and typically offer incentives for completing objectives toward a healthy lifestyle. Again, check with your insurer to find out more details.
Healthier living doesn’t just lead to better outcomes for you and your family; it improves the overall health of the country and keeps medical and insurance costs down.
The primary care staff at Meridian HealthCare understands that every type of preventive care is vital and leads to the best possible outcome. Reach out today to find out more about our preventive care services.
