What Every Patient Should Know About Preventive Healthcare
When it comes to your health, small actions today can make a big difference tomorrow. And yet, many people only get care when they feel unwell, missing the chance to stay ahead of potential problems.
In fact, in 2015, only 8% of Americans aged 35 and older regularly received the recommended, high-priority preventive services–and as of 2020, that number fell to just 5.3%, according to a survey by Healthy People 2030.
That means millions are skipping simple steps that could help reduce the risk of chronic disease and support a longer, healthier life.
Read on to learn how preventive care works, why it matters, and how to get started.
Key takeaways:
Preventive care means proactive healthcare services designed to help catch potential issues early–before symptoms appear.
Examples include blood pressure checks, mental health screenings, and lifestyle counseling from your clinician.
You can take charge of your health by scheduling annual check-ups, understanding your insurance coverage, setting up your Nice Healthcare account ahead of time, and prioritizing healthy lifestyle habits.
How to Define Preventive Care
Preventive care focuses on spotting small concerns early–before they turn into bigger problems.
Think of it like car maintenance: you don’t wait for your engine to fail before changing the oil. You stay ahead of issues to keep everything running smoothly. Your health works the same way.
Being proactive about your well-being with yearly exams and screenings can help you avoid more serious conditions down the road.
Preventive Care Examples
Preventive care typically includes these services:
A Physical Exam
A yearly physical provides a baseline for your health and helps detect changes that could indicate underlying conditions. Even if you feel fine, these exams allow your clinician to identify potential risks early to avoid illness or costly treatments later on.
During your appointment, your clinician may perform a head-to-toe physical exam and check your vital signs, which include measuring your blood pressure.
Screenings for Common Health Conditions
Many chronic conditions develop without noticeable symptoms at first. That’s why targeted, preemptive screenings are so important.
Depending on your age and risk factors, your provider may recommend tests to screen for:
Elevated cholesterol
Diabetes
Cancer
Other conditions based on your medical history and risk factors
Vaccinations
Vaccines help protect you from preventable illnesses, such as the flu or pneumonia, and reduce the chances of spreading those illnesses to others. So it’s critical to stay up to date.
While Nice Healthcare doesn’t administer vaccines, clinicians can help you determine which ones you need and provide a referral to a convenient location. Clinicians can also provide education on vaccine schedules and issue orders when needed.
Mental Health and Wellness Screenings
Mental and physical wellness are deeply connected, which is why mental health screenings are often part of routine preventive care. These assessments help identify early signs of depression, anxiety, and other concerns–ideally before they start to affect your daily life.
During a mental health screening, your clinician may:
Ask about your mood, sleep patterns, and day-to-day stressors
Use simple, research-backed questionnaires to assess symptoms of anxiety or depression
Provide guidance on next steps if any concerns arise
Lifestyle Guidance and Counseling
Along with healthcare services, your daily habits have a big impact on your long-term health. That’s why preventive care often includes lifestyle guidance and counseling.
Some common areas where a clinician may offer guidance are:
Nutrition: Recommending sustainable dietary adjustments to support heart health, immunity, and energy levels
Exercise: Helping you find safe, accessible ways to move more, based on your fitness level and health history
Sleep: Identifying habits that interfere with restorative sleep and suggesting practical changes
These essential conversations give you personalized, expert-backed insights to help you build habits that protect your health–not just today, but for years to come.
Benefits of Preventive Care
Here are some of the biggest reasons to make preventive care a priority:
Better Long-Term Health
Again, many serious health problems–like heart disease and diabetes–often develop slowly without obvious symptoms. Preventive care helps spot risk factors early, giving you and your provider the opportunity to make changes that support better long-term health and quality of life.
Fewer Urgent Care and ER Visits
Skipping routine check-ups might seem harmless–until a preventable condition turns into an emergency. Preventive care helps you avoid last-minute, high-stress medical visits by keeping your health on track, year-round.
Lower Healthcare Costs
Preventive care is often fully covered by insurance, meaning services like annual check-ups and screenings come at little to no cost.
More Control and Peace of Mind
Being proactive now means fewer surprises later–and there’s peace of mind in that. Utilizing preventive care helps you feel confident and in control, knowing you're doing your part to protect your long-term well-being.
How to Be Proactive About Your Care
Here are some tips to make preventive care simple and stress-free:
Schedule Your Annual Physical
Your yearly check-up is one of the best ways to stay ahead of potential health concerns. Again, even if you feel perfectly healthy, these visits can catch early warning signs of conditions like high blood pressure or heart disease while they’re still easier to manage or reverse.
Need help figuring out what preventive services you need? Your clinician can guide you. And while Nice Healthcare doesn’t provide certain services like specialty lab tests, vaccines, or sensitive-area exams, we can help you understand which ones you need and how to get them.
Support Your Preventive Care with Healthy Habits
Regular check-ups work best when paired with healthy everyday choices. While lifestyle habits like nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management aren’t always considered formal preventive care, they play a major role in lowering your risk of chronic conditions.
A few small but impactful daily choices that complement regular check-ups are:
Moving more throughout your day (even short walks can make a big difference)
Choosing healthy foods that give your body the nutrients and energy it needs
Prioritizing good sleep habits by sticking to a regular bedtime and limiting screens at night
Managing stress proactively with practices like breathing exercises
Your clinician can also help you find personalized ways to build sustainable habits that support your long-term health.
Set Up Your Nice Healthcare Account Now (Before You Get Sick)
Preventive care is all about staying ahead of potential health issues–and being prepared is part of that. Plus, when you’re not feeling well, the last thing you want is to deal with paperwork or figuring out how to access care.
Setting up your Nice account ahead of time means you’re already a step ahead. When you need care, scheduling a visit is quick, stress-free, and one less thing to worry about.
Nice Offers Preventive Care at Your Fingertips
Taking care of your health doesn’t have to be complicated. Preventive care helps you stay ahead of potential issues–and getting started is easier than you think.
Download the Nice Healthcare app and set up your account today. You'll have quick access to care when you need it–and long before you do, since staying on top of your health helps prevent illness before it starts.
Not sure if Nice is available through your employer? Check with your benefits manager.