Consult your pediatrician or family practitioner to determine how often your child needs check-ups and tests. If your child has one or more chronic conditions, he/she may need to visit the doctor more often and may need additional tests.

Lead testing

The New York State Department of Health mandates that all children have a blood test for lead at one year and at two years of age. Has your child been tested for lead? For more information on lead testing, click here.

Well-child Visits

Between birth and 15 months, a child needs at least six well-child visits.

Between three years and six years of age, a child needs annual visits.

Between 12 years and 21 years of age, a child needs annual visits.

Click here for the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Click here for additional information about well-child visits.

Childhood Immunizations

Are your child's immunizations up to date?

Every year, the American Academy of Pediatrics publishes an updated Childhood Immunization Schedule. If your child is not up to date with his/her shots, make an appointment as soon as possible to see your pediatrician or family practitioner.

For additional information about childhood immunizations, click here.

Dental Check-ups

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that an initial oral evaluation visit should occur within six months of the appearance of the first tooth and no later than 12 months of age.

Click here for additional information on pediatric dentistry. Check your benefits to determine whether dental visits are a covered benefit for your child.

Health Maintenance for Adult Women

Women's health needs change with age. Consult your physician to determine how often you should have check-ups and the tests and screenings that are right for you. If you have one or more chronic conditions, you may need to visit your doctor more often and you may need additional tests. The table below gives an overview of some of the screening tests and immunizations that you may need.

Screening Tests and Immunizations
Test	Frequency
Blood pressure measurements	Every 1-2 years.
Cholesterol levels	Every 5 years after age 18.
Blood sugar levels	Varies depending on family history and personal risk factors for diabetes.
Breast Self-Exams	Monthly, optional Breast Self-Examination (BSE) for women in their 20’s and older.
Clinical Breast Exams	Women in their 20’s and 30’s should have a Clinical Breast Exam (CBE) every 3 years. At age 40 and older – annually.
Mammography	At age 40 to 74 – annually; check with your doctor for your personal risk needs. Women age 75 and over should have a screening mammography at their request and the physician’s discretion.
Pap smears	Every 1-3 years after age 21 or beginning three years after first sexual intercourse. More frequent Pap smears may be required for higher-risk women who are infected with HIV, are immunosuppressed (such as those receiving kidney transplants), were exposed to DES in utero, or were previously diagnosed with cervical cancer. If you have had a hysterectomy, speak to your doctor about whether you still need to have a Pap smear.
Pelvic Exams	Annually. Regardless of the frequency of your Pap test, annual gynecologic examinations, including pelvic exams, are still recommended.
Rectal Exams	Annually over age 50; earlier if you have Inflammatory bowel disease or first-degree relative with colon cancer.
Screening for Colon Cancer (one of the following) Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Fecal Occult Blood Test Colonoscopy Double Contrast Barium Enema (DCBE)	Every 5 years. Yearly. Every 10 years. Every 5 years.
Skin Exams	Annual mole checks; self-inspection for suspicious.
Dental Exams	Twice a year through out adulthood for check-up and cleaning. (Check your benefits to determine whether your dental visits are a covered benefit.)
HIV test	If you had a blood transfusion between 1978 and 1985, have injected illegal drugs, have had multiple sexual partners or have had sex with a man who has had multiple sexual partners or who has had sex with another man.
Syphilis, Gonorrhea or Chlamydia Tests	If you are sexually active, have had multiple sexual partners or any sexually transmitted diseases.
Tuberculosis (TB) Test	If you have injected illegal drugs, have been an alcoholic or a health care worker, have been exposed to someone with tuberculosis, have recently moved from Asia, Africa, Central or South America, or the Pacific Islands, or if you have kidney failure or HIV infection.
Immunizations Influenza vaccine (flu shot) Tetanus Pneumococcal vaccine Rubella	Annually. Every ten years. Once at 65, with a booster six years later. Once in a non-pregnant woman of childbearing age who does not have immunity.

Click here for additional information on preventive health for women.

Health Maintenance for Adult Men

With the exception of breast exam, mammography, pelvic exam/Pap smear and rubella vaccine, all of the routine screenings and immunizations tabulated above also apply to the adult men in your family. Men should also ask their doctor about their risk of prostate cancer.

Click here for additional information on prostate cancer screening.

Click here for additional information on preventive health for men.

Cancer Prevention

Here are a few simple ways to reduce your risk of cancer:

Develop a healthy eating plan that is high in fiber, low in fat and that includes five to nine fruits and/or vegetables a day.
Maintain a healthy body weight as determined by your body mass index (BMI). To calculate your BMI, click here: BMI Calculator.
Limit your exposure to ultraviolet light.
Limit your alcohol consumption. If you are concerned about the amount of alcohol you drink, click here.
Avoid exposure to tobacco: Be smart and don't start. Get fit and please quit. For information about the Quit For Life Quit Smoking Program, click here.

Cancer Warning Signs

These symptoms are not always associated with cancer. If you notice any of these signs, bring them to your doctor's attention.

Change in bowel or bladder habits.
A sore that does not heal.
Unusual bleeding or discharge.
Thickening or lump in the breast or any other part of the body.
Indigestion or difficulty swallowing.
Obvious change in a wart or mole.
Nagging cough or hoarseness.
An unexplained change in weight, whether increase or decrease.

Additional Resources

Other Useful Suggestions

Ask your doctor questions.
Follow your doctor's instructions.
Keep appointments to see your doctor.
Keep appointments for blood work or other tests.
Keep a Health Journal.

Record any new symptoms.
Write down any questions you want to ask.
Take notes when your doctor answers your questions.
Take notes when your doctor gives you instructions.
Record the dates of your tests.
Write a list of your medications.
Bring your Health Journal with you when you visit your doctor.

Take medications as prescribed.

Federal Drug Administration's Tips for Taking Medicines

More tips for helping your medicines work as safely and effectively as possible.

Keep a record of all your current medicines, including their names and regimens (dose, time, and other instructions for taking). Write down any problems you have with the medicine so you can discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.
Using adequate light, read labels carefully before taking doses.
Ask the doctor's or pharmacist's advice before crushing or splitting tablets; some should only be swallowed whole.
Contact the doctor or pharmacist if new or unexpected symptoms or other problems appear.
Never stop taking medicine the doctor has told you to finish just because symptoms disappear.
Ask the doctor periodically to reevaluate long-term treatments.
If you have questions, talk to your pharmacist or doctor before using an over the counter (OTC) medicine the first time, especially if you use other medicine.
Carefully read OTC medicine labels for ingredients, proper uses, directions, warnings, precautions, and expiration dates. Many medicines contain the same ingredients. Be sure you're not taking the same drug in more than one form.
Discard outdated medicine.
Store medicine in the original container, where the label identifies it and gives directions.
Never store medicine in the bathroom. Unless instructed otherwise, keep it away from heat, light and moisture.
Never take someone else's medicine.
Tell your health professional if you:

Are breast-feeding or are, or may be, pregnant.
Are allergic to drugs or foods.
Have diabetes or kidney or liver disease.
Take other prescription or OTC medicines regularly.
Follow a special diet or take dietary supplements.
Use alcohol or tobacco.

Additional Resources

For more information on how to get the most benefits from your medication, click on FDA Tips for Taking Medicines.