Men are more likely to skip their annual checkups than women – especially in their 20’s and 30’s. Many young men don’t think they need to see a doctor if they are not experiencing any physical symptoms. They feel at the peak of their health and may put off their yearly checkup.

Younger men may not see a doctor regularly because they think they simply don’t need to, or they feel that doctors are overbearing or judgmental about their lifestyle. It’s important to have a provider you can trust and that makes you feel comfortable talking about your health concerns. Regular wellness visits are an important part of your health.

Men in their 20’s and 30’s should have these exams every year:

• Annual physical exam, including blood pressure and height/weight check
• Blood tests to check for diabetes, anemia, thyroid disorders, and liver function
• Vision and hearing exam
• Screening for testicular cancer
• Cholesterol test every five years

Depending on risk factors such as family history for certain diseases, your doctor will recommend additional tests and screenings for colon and prostate cancer, STIs or HIV, depression, and alcohol abuse.

Skipping routine visits can be deadly. Many chronic illnesses such as diabetes or heart disease are known as “silent killers.” This means that they don’t show any symptoms until the disease has significantly progressed. Regular screenings with your provider can catch these diseases early on and make them easier to treat or manage. As a CHPW member, your primary care visit is covered with no copay, so there’s no reason not to see a provider.

If you need help finding a provider, use our Find a Doctor tool or contact customer service for help making an appointment.