Understanding Preventive Care
Examples include appropriate screening tests, counseling about tobacco use and nutrition, and recommended immunizations. Recommendations depend on age, medical and family history, and other risk factors; not every screening is appropriate for every person.
How it is assessed or used in care
Preventive care differs from diagnostic care, which investigates a symptom or abnormal finding. A test that begins as screening may lead to diagnostic follow-up. Your clinician can explain the purpose of each recommendation and how often it should be repeated.
What to discuss with your clinician
Ask which preventive services you are due for and whether you need a referral elsewhere. Confirm insurance coverage before testing; the label “preventive” does not guarantee every service will be free. At Anchor, ask the primary care team about your individualized prevention plan.
Medical references
Sources accessed November 13, 2026.
This information is for general education, not a diagnosis or an individualized treatment plan. Discuss symptoms, test results, and treatment decisions with a qualified clinician. For a medical emergency, call 911.