The Power of Preventive Care: Why Annual Wellness Visits Matter
November 12, 2025Taking care of your health isn’t just about treating illness; it’s about preventing it. That’s where annual wellness visits with your primary care provider (PCP) come in. These check-ups are among the most powerful tools you have for protecting your long-term health, catching concerns early, and ensuring you feel your best throughout the year.
Why Preventive Care Matters
- Early detection saves lives: Screenings for conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer can uncover issues before they become serious.
- Staying up to date: Your PCP helps track important milestones such as vaccinations, cholesterol checks, and age-appropriate screenings.
- A whole-person approach: Wellness visits go beyond physical health—they also cover your mental well-being, lifestyle habits, and family health history.
What to Expect at Your Visit
During an annual wellness check, your provider may:
- Review your personal and family medical history
- Check your blood pressure, heart rate, and other vitals
- Order labs or screenings based on your age and risk factors
- Discuss lifestyle choices like nutrition, exercise, and stress management
- Answer any questions or concerns you may have about your health
A Screening Checklist by Age
Your provider will personalize your care, but here’s a helpful guide to what some of the key preventive measures often look like by age:
- Annual physical exams
- Blood pressure and cholesterol checks
- Cervical cancer screenings (Pap tests)
- HPV vaccination (if not already given)
- Mental health and wellness check-ins
- Mammograms for women starting at 40
- Colon cancer screening starting at 45
- Diabetes screening
- Prostate health discussions for men
- Continued cholesterol and blood pressure monitoring
- Bone density screening for osteoporosis
- Annual flu and pneumonia vaccinations
- Shingles vaccination and vaccine boosters, as needed
- Continued cancer screenings as recommended
- Cognitive health and fall risk assessments
- Ongoing review of medications and chronic conditions
Building a Relationship That Lasts
One of the biggest benefits of annual visits is strengthening your relationship with your PCP. When your provider knows you and your health history, they’re better able to recognize changes, spot risks, and guide you toward the best care possible.
At St. Mary’s, we believe preventive care is the foundation of lifelong wellness. By making your annual visit a priority, you’re investing in your health today and in the years to come. Schedule your annual wellness check today; many of our PCPs are accepting new patients!
- Athens Internal Medicine Associates – Athens
- Community Internal Medicine of Athens – Athens
- Georgia Family Medicine – Watkinsville
- Good Samaritan Primary Care – Greater Greene County area
- Sacred Heart Primary Care – Greater Franklin County area
- St. Mary's Family Medicine – Bogart
- St. Mary’s Internal Medicine Associates – Watkinsville/Oconee
- St. Mary’s Internal Medicine Associates on Chase – North Athens/Jackson/Madison
