Preventive screenings by age and sex: a plain-language USPSTF guide

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) is an independent panel of national experts in prevention and primary care. It reviews the research and grades screening tests by how much they help. Grade A means high certainty of substantial benefit; Grade B means high or moderate certainty of benefit. Under U.S. law, most private health plans must cover Grade A and B services with no copay.

All adults (18+)

• High blood pressure (Grade A) — yearly from age 40 or if at higher risk; every 3–5 years for ages 18–39 with normal readings.
• Depression (Grade B) and anxiety up to age 64 (Grade B) — a short questionnaire.
• Unhealthy alcohol use (Grade B) and tobacco use with help quitting (Grade A).
• HIV at least once ages 15–65 (Grade A) and hepatitis C once ages 18–79 (Grade B).

Ages 35–75

• Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, ages 35–70 with overweight or obesity (Grade B).
• Heart risk and statins, ages 40–75 with a risk factor such as high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, or smoking (Grade B).
• Colorectal cancer, ages 45–75 (Grade B 45–49, Grade A 50–75) — stool tests or colonoscopy.

Women

• Cervical cancer, ages 21–65 (Grade A) — Pap every 3 years, or HPV testing every 5 years from 30.
• Chlamydia and gonorrhea, sexually active women 24 and younger (Grade B).
• Breast cancer, ages 40–74 (Grade B) — mammogram every 2 years.
• Osteoporosis, ages 65+ and younger postmenopausal women at higher risk (Grade B) — bone density scan.

Men

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm, ages 65–75 who have ever smoked (Grade B) — one-time ultrasound.
• Prostate cancer, ages 55–69 (Grade C) — a personal decision about PSA testing after talking with your clinician.

Older adults and people who smoked

• Lung cancer, ages 50–80 with a 20 pack-year history who smoke now or quit within 15 years (Grade B) — yearly low-dose CT.
• Falls prevention, ages 65+ at higher risk (Grade B) — exercise for strength and balance.

How to use this at your next visit

Open the Provider Report in Today's Vitals. It shows the screenings that may apply to your age and sex, with one simple question for each. Bring it to your checkup alongside your home readings.