This is your “get oriented” prevention visit. It helps you set a baseline, review risks, and build a simple plan for the year ahead.

• Bring a list of current meds and supplements.

• Share family history (heart disease, diabetes, cancer, aneurysm).

• Ask what screenings make sense based on your age and risk.

• Pick one or two realistic lifestyle goals (movement, sleep, tobacco, alcohol).

Think of the AWV as your yearly prevention “strategy session.” It updates your risk profile and keeps your plan current.

• Review new diagnoses, meds, and daily function changes.

• Update screening schedule (colon, lung, AAA, etc.).

• Discuss fall risk, memory concerns, mood, and safety habits.

• Ask what one change would most improve your risk this year.

A routine physical can be useful, but the key is scheduling the right visit for the right goal.

• If you want prevention planning, ask for the Welcome visit or AWV.

• If you have symptoms, schedule a problem-focused visit.

• Ask the office how the visit will be billed (preventive vs diagnostic).

A simple checklist beats a perfect plan. The goal is to keep your risks visible and your next steps easy.

• Know your numbers: blood pressure, blood sugar trend, cholesterol trend.

• Pick one lifestyle focus: movement, sleep, food choices, tobacco, alcohol.

• Stay current on vaccines.

• Follow recommended screenings based on your risk.

Advance care planning helps your loved ones and doctors follow your wishes if you can’t speak for yourself.

• Choose a health care decision-maker (proxy).

• Write down what matters most to you (quality of life, independence, comfort).

• Review your plan after major health changes.

• Store documents where someone you trust can access them.

High blood pressure is a major “silent” risk for heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.

• Check BP regularly (home cuff can help).

• Move most days, reduce excess sodium, prioritize sleep.

• If you drink alcohol, keep it modest and consistent.

• Ask what BP target fits your risk profile.

Cholesterol screening helps estimate risk and guide lifestyle and medication decisions.

• Ask about overall risk, not just one number.

• Focus on activity, fiber-rich foods, sleep, and weight management.

• Discuss family history of early heart disease.

This benefit supports heart-healthy habits with structured counseling.

• Ask for a plan you can follow (food, activity, weight, tobacco).

• Pick one habit to change first, then stack the next.

• Track progress weekly (simple check-in).

Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes can often be slowed or prevented with lifestyle changes.

• Know your risk: weight, activity, family history, BP, sleep.

• Ask about A1C and fasting glucose trends over time.

• Prioritize movement, strength training, protein, and fiber.

MDPP is a structured lifestyle program focused on preventing type 2 diabetes through sustainable habit change.

• Group support, practical skills, and coaching.

• Focuses on food choices, activity planning, and problem-solving.

• Consistency beats intensity.

Improving fitness, strength, and nutrition can lower risk for diabetes, heart disease, and sleep apnea.

• Focus on strength + daily movement, not just the scale.

• Build meals around protein and fiber.

• Improve sleep and stress support for better appetite control.

MNT helps turn “nutrition advice” into a real, personalized plan (especially with diabetes or kidney disease).

• Bring a typical week of meals (no judgment, just data).

• Ask for a few high-impact swaps you can repeat.

• Track one or two markers (A1C trend, BP, symptoms).

Quitting tobacco is one of the most powerful prevention moves for heart disease, stroke, COPD, and cancer.

• Ask about nicotine replacement and prescriptions.

• Pick a quit date and plan for triggers (stress, alcohol, routines).

• Counseling + medication can work better than either alone.

Alcohol can raise risk for high blood pressure, sleep disruption, falls, liver disease, and medication interactions.

• Track intake for a week to see patterns.

• Add alcohol-free days each week.

• If you use alcohol for stress or sleep, ask for safer strategies.

Colon cancer is often preventable because polyps can be found and removed before they turn into cancer.

• Choose the screening option you’ll actually complete.

• Ask if family history changes timing/frequency.

• Report symptoms quickly (blood in stool, persistent changes).

Lung cancer screening is for people at higher risk, mainly based on smoking history and age.

• Quitting smoking is still the biggest prevention step.

• Ask whether you meet criteria for low-dose CT screening.

• Discuss pros/cons (false positives, follow-up testing).

Prostate cancer decisions are personal. Prevention here is informed screening decisions and paying attention to symptoms.

• Discuss PSA testing based on age, family history, and risk.

• Know symptom triggers (urinary changes, blood in urine).

• Ask about pros/cons and what happens after an abnormal result.

Skin cancer prevention is mostly behavior + early detection.

• Use sun protection daily (shade, clothing, sunscreen).

• Check skin monthly for new or changing spots.

• Get prompt evaluation for changing moles or non-healing sores.

Oral cancer risk rises with tobacco and heavy alcohol use. Prevention is reducing exposures and acting fast on symptoms.

• Quit tobacco, reduce alcohol.

• Don’t ignore mouth sores that don’t heal or trouble swallowing.

• Keep regular dental care if you have access to it.

There’s no routine population screening test, so prevention is awareness and quick evaluation of changes.

• Look for lumps, swelling, heaviness, or persistent ache.

• Don’t wait weeks if something feels different.

• Ask what the next step is (exam, ultrasound, referral).

Flu shots lower your risk of severe illness, especially as you age.

• Get vaccinated each flu season.

• Ask which version fits your age and health history.

Staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccination helps reduce risk of severe illness.

• Follow current recommendations for your age and risk level.

• If immunocompromised, ask about additional guidance.

Pneumococcal vaccination helps prevent serious infections like pneumonia.

• Ask which schedule fits your age and health risks.

• If you have chronic conditions, confirm timing and follow-up doses.

Hepatitis B can lead to chronic liver disease. Vaccination is the best prevention for people at risk.

• Ask if you have risk factors (diabetes, kidney disease, exposure risk).

• Complete the full vaccine series if recommended.

Shingles risk rises with age. Vaccination can reduce the chance of shingles and long-lasting nerve pain.

• Ask your pharmacist which shingles vaccine is recommended.

• Plan for the full series (more than one dose).

Tetanus protection fades over time. A booster helps protect against tetanus and diphtheria (and pertussis with Tdap).

• Ask when your last tetanus shot was.

• Consider Tdap if you’ll be around infants.

RSV can be serious in older adults, especially with heart or lung conditions.

• Ask if you’re higher-risk based on age and medical history.

• Discuss timing (often seasonal planning).

HIV screening is about early detection and prevention.

• Ask what screening schedule fits your risk.

• Discuss prevention tools if you’re at risk.

STI prevention is a mix of habits and targeted testing.

• Discuss testing based on partners and protection use.

• Ask about counseling that fits your situation.

• Don’t ignore symptoms.

Hepatitis C can be silent for years. Screening finds it early, and treatment can prevent long-term liver damage.

• Ask if you should be screened based on age or risk.

• If positive, ask about next steps and treatment.

Bone health affects fractures, independence, and recovery. Men can develop osteoporosis too.

• Do strength training and balance work regularly.

• Discuss calcium/vitamin D needs with your clinician.

• Ask about risk if you’ve had fractures or long-term steroid use.

Falls are preventable. The biggest wins are strength, balance, vision, and a safer home setup.

• Do balance work two to three times weekly.

• Review meds that may cause dizziness or sleepiness.

• Improve lighting and remove trip hazards.

AAA risk is higher in older men, especially with a history of smoking. Screening can detect an aneurysm before it becomes dangerous.

• If you’ve ever smoked, ask if you meet screening criteria.

• Manage blood pressure and quit tobacco.

• Know urgent warning signs: sudden severe belly/back pain, dizziness, fainting.

Depression is common and treatable. Screening helps catch concerns early.

• Watch for persistent low mood, loss of interest, irritability, sleep changes.

• If you have thoughts of self-harm, seek urgent help right away.

Brain health prevention is mostly lifestyle + early notice.

• Protect sleep, hearing, blood pressure, and activity level.

• Report new confusion, getting lost, or medication mistakes.

• Ask about reversible causes (B12, thyroid, meds).

Sleep is prevention. Poor sleep raises risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, and accidents.

• Watch for clues: loud snoring, gasping, morning headaches, daytime sleepiness.

• Work on weight, alcohol timing, sleep schedule, congestion.

• Ask if a sleep study is appropriate if symptoms persist.

Glaucoma can cause vision loss without early symptoms. Prevention is early detection for people at higher risk.

• Ask if you’re high risk (family history, diabetes, age).

• Report vision changes promptly.

Diabetes can damage the retina over time. Regular eye exams help catch changes early and protect vision.

• Keep blood sugar, BP, and cholesterol controlled.

• Report sudden vision changes urgently.

• Don’t skip yearly eye checks if advised.

Hearing loss affects safety, relationships, and brain health. Prevention is early detection and protecting your ears from damage.

• Use hearing protection around loud tools, concerts, engines.

• Treat earwax or infections that worsen hearing.

• If conversations are hard to follow, get evaluated sooner.