Screenings	Recommended frequency
Height/weight	Regularly throughout infancy and childhood*
Blood pressure	Periodically after age 3
Phenylalanine (PKU) level	Once prior to discharge from hospital after birth; repeat at two weeks for newborns tested before 24 hours of age
T4 and/or TSH	Once between days two and six after birth (prior to hospital discharge)
Vision	Once between ages 3 and 4
*Discuss frequency with your doctor.
Immunizations	Recommended frequency
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTaP or DTP)	Five immunizations total to begin at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, once between 15 and 18 months, and once between ages 4 and 6 (DTaP is preferred for all doses in the series.)
H. influenzae type B (Hib)	Three or four immunizations (depending on the vaccine) at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and once between 12 and 15 months
Hepatitis A	Two immunizations separated by six to 18 months between ages 2 and 17, in select areas
Hepatitis B	Three immunizations administered at birth, 1 month and 6 months, OR between 0 and 2 months, one to two months later, and between 6 and 18 months (If not immunized by age 11, three immunizations as per doctor's recommendation.)
Influenza	Annually for children ages 6 months and older with certain risk factors
Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)	Two immunizations with first between 12 and 15 months, and second between ages 4 and 6; if missed, given between ages 11 and 12
Pneumococcal conjugate	Four immunizations at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and once between 12 and 15 months
Polio (IPV)	Four immunizations at 2 months, 4 months, once between ages 6 and 18 months, and once between 4 and 6 years
Varicella	One immunization between ages 12 and 18 months, and unvaccinated older children who've never had chickenpox
Topics for periodic discussion with your physician (Birth to age 10) Healthy living exercise nutrition breastfeeding Substance use antitobacco message effects of passive smoking Injury prevention bicycle helmets and avoiding bicycling near traffic child safety car seats CPR training for parents and caregivers drownings lap-shoulder seat belts safe storage of drugs, toxins, firearms and matches smoke detectors and flame-retardant sleepwear local poison control phone number water heater temperature set lower than 120° to 130°F window and stair guards Dental health baby bottle tooth decay flossing, brushing and fluoride regular dental visits
Back to index

Screenings	Recommended frequency
Height/weight	Periodically*
Blood pressure	Periodically*
Chlamydia	Routine screenings recommended for all sexually active females
Pap test	Beginning within three years of becoming sexually active or at age 21, whichever comes first; routinely thereafter
Problem drinking	Periodically*
Rubella serology or vaccination history	Recommended for all females of childbearing age
Type 2 diabetes	Periodically for adults with high blood pressure or high cholesterol
*Discuss frequency with your doctor.
Immunizations	Recommended frequency
Hepatitis B	If not previously vaccinated, administer the full hepatitis B series (three immunizations with the second dose given one month after the first, and the third dose six months after the second)
Influenza	Annually for those defined as high risk
Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)	Once between ages 11 and 12 if second dose was not yet received
Rubella	Given after age 12 for females who are not pregnant
Tetanus-diphtheria (Td)	Boosters between ages 11 and 16, and periodically thereafter
Varicella	Two doses at least four weeks apart for susceptible children and young adults age 13 and older
Other preventions
Multivitamins with folic acid	Recommended for women planning/capable of pregnancy
Intensive behavioral diet counseling	Recommended for adults who have high cholesterol and other known risk factors for cardiovascular and diet-related chronic disease
Topics for periodic discussion with your physician (Ages 11 to 24) Diet adequate calcium intake nutrition Substance use avoiding tobacco use avoiding underage drinking, alcohol abuse and illicit drug use for teens and young adults, avoiding alcohol and drug use while driving, boating, swimming, etc. Sexual behavior avoiding high-risk behavior sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention/abstinence unintended pregnancy Injury prevention bicycle, motorcycle and ATV helmets and safety drownings falls lap-shoulder seat belts poisoning safe storage and removal of firearms smoke detectors Dental health flossing, brushing and fluoride regular dental visits
Back to index

Screenings	Recommended frequency
Height/weight	Periodically*
Blood pressure	Periodically*; screen for type 2 diabetes if blood pressure is high
Chlamydia	Routine for sexually active women age 25 and younger and those older than 25 if at risk
Clinical breast exam	Annually for women age 40 and older
Fecal occult blood test	Annually beginning at age 50
Mammogram	Every one to two years with or without clinical breast exam for women age 40 and older
Pap test	Every one to three years for women who have a cervix
Problem drinking	Periodically*
Sigmoidoscopy	Every three to five years beginning at age 50
Total and HDL cholesterol:	Periodically for men age 35 and older and women age 45 and older*; screen for type 2 diabetes if cholesterol is high
*Discuss frequency with your doctor.
Immunizations	Recommended frequency
Influenza	Annually for those age 50 and older; annually for people younger than age 50 who are at high risk
Rubella blood test or vaccination history	Recommended for all women of childbearing age
Tetanus-diphtheria (Td)	Boosters every 10 years
Varicella	Two doses given at four weeks apart for susceptible individuals
Other preventive measures
Multivitamins with folic acid	Recommended for females planning/capable of pregnancy
Preventive hormone therapy	Considered for women approaching menopause or after menopause
Topics for periodic discussion with your physician (Healthy adults ages 25 to 64) Diet adequate calcium intake for women nutrition Substance use avoiding alcohol and drug use while driving, boating, swimming, etc. avoiding tobacco use Sexual behavior avoiding high-risk behavior sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention unintended pregnancy Injury prevention bicycle, motorcycle and ATV helmets and safety drownings falls lap-shoulder seat belts poisoning safe storage and removal of firearms smoke detectors Dental health flossing, brushing and fluoride regular dental visits
Back to index

Screenings	Recommended frequency
Height/weight	Periodically*
Blood pressure	Periodically*; screen for type 2 diabetes if blood pressure is high
Bone density testing	Routinely for women
Clinical breast exam	Annually for women
Fecal occult blood test	Annually
Hearing	Periodically
Mammogram	Every one to two years with or without clinical breast exam for women
Pap test	Every one to three years for sexually active women who have a cervix; if previous regular screenings were normal, consider discontinuing
Problem drinking	Periodically
Sigmoidoscopy	Every three to five years
Total and HDL cholesterol:	Periodically*; screen for type 2 diabetes if cholesterol is high
Vision	Annually
*Discuss frequency with your doctor.
Immunizations	Recommended frequency
Tetanus-diphtheria (Td)	Boosters every 10 years
Influenza	Annually
Pneumococcal	Once if you have a healthy immune system
Pneumococcal revaccination	If the first pneumococcal dose was given before age 65 and five or more years have passed since the first dose, a second dose should be given. People who have sickle cell anemia or those without a spleen should receive a single pneumococcal revaccination if five years or more have passed since the first dose and they have a healthy immune system.
Other preventive measures
Preventive hormone therapy	The use of combination estrogen and progestin therapy is not recommended to prevent chronic conditions such as osteoporosis or heart disease in postmenopausal women. Women should discuss the use of estrogen alone with their doctor.
Aspirin therapy	People at risk for coronary artery disease should discuss the use of aspirin therapy with their doctor.
Breast cancer prevention	People at high risk for breast cancer should discuss the risks and benefits of using medications such as tamoxifen and raloxifene with their doctor.
Intensive behavioral diet counseling	Recommended for adults who have high cholesterol and other known risk factors for cardiovascular and diet-related chronic disease.
Topics for periodic discussion with your physician (Age 65 and older) Diet adequate calcium intake for women nutrition Substance use avoiding alcohol and drug use while driving, boating, swimming, etc. avoiding tobacco use Sexual behavior avoiding high-risk behavior sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention Injury prevention bicycle and motorcycle helmets and safety CPR training for household falls lap-shoulder seat belts safe storage and removal of firearms smoke detectors water heater temperature set lower than 120° to 130°F Dental health flossing, brushing and fluoride regular dental visits
Back to index

Updated 7/21/03

References

Clinician's Handbook of Preventive Services. 2nd ed. McLean, VA: International Medical Publishing, Inc., 1998.

"Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, 3rd Edition, 2000-2003." Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/cps3dix.htm (Viewed 10/17/02).

"Recommendations and Rationale: Screening for Cervical Cancer." U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Published 1/03. http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/3rduspstf/cervcan/cervcanrr.htm (Viewed 1/30/03).

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Guide to Clinical Preventive Services. 2nd ed. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1996. lxii, lxiv, lxvi, lxviii, lxx, lxxiii, 781-82, 803-04.

Remember, encyclopedia entries provide general information only. They are not meant to replace professional advice or imply coverage of specific clinical services or products.