February 9, 2026
A new year means juggling work, family, and your new year’s resolutions, making it easy to push your health care needs to the background. It is estimated that 27% of Americans do not get regular health checks, something that is vital for you to live a happy, healthy life. Adding a health check to your news year’s resolutions can help you manage current medical conditions and identify potential risks.
Depending on your age, risk factors, and current health, a health check is performed by a primary care doctor every one to three years for those under the age of 45 and are recommended once every year for those ages 45 and over. Those with chronic diseases like diabetes should see their doctor more often.
Health checks and screenings for conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer are vital for early detection. Preventative health screenings can often detect signs of a medical condition before you feel physical symptoms. Regular health checks are also recommended to:
According to Healthline, the steps taken during a health check can vary depending on your age, risk factors, and your current health.
For men and women, an annual checkup should include:
Regular health checks with your doctor are important, but so is monitoring your health every day of the year. Genesee Health Plan (GHP) members who want to learn how to improve their health during everyday life are welcome to join our Health Navigation Program at no cost! Our expert team of navigators will work closely with you and your doctor to improve your health through education, management of long-term diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, support to quit smoking, and more.
Click here to learn more about the Health Navigation Program.
February is National Heart Month, the perfect time to think about what precautions can be taken to keep your heart healthy, like a heart health screening. Heart health screenings can be done through a variety of tests used to detect the risk factors of conditions like heart disease, often before you feel symptoms. Body weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol checks are examples of common heart tests performed during a regular health check. The Cleveland Clinic explains that testing can also detect if you are at risk for heart and blood vessel problems like a stroke or heart attack. These tests are important for finding heart disease in the early stages so the right steps can be taken to improve your health and get treatment.
Monitoring your heart health at home is just as important as the regular checks done by your doctor, and just as easy through the Healthy Heart Ambassador’s Program! The Genesee Health Plan Healthy Heart Ambassadors Program is a four-month program that helps adults lower their blood pressure through self-monitoring techniques, one-on-one consultations, and nutrition education. During the program, participants learn important seminar topics like:
Click here to learn more about the Healthy Heart Ambassadors Program
Access to healthcare can be difficult due to transportation issues and long waits for a healthcare appointment. Below are resources in Genesee County that can help make accessing healthcare easier!
The Genesee County Free Medical Clinic is providing a series of FREE Stroke Screenings throughout 2026 from 9am-12pm. Screening includes: ... READ MORE
For our eleventh year in a row, we are hosting a “Health Heritage Essay Contest” for young people learning the ... READ MORE
Effective December 1, 2025, work requirements are required for Food Assistance Program benefits. The MDHHS website states that able-bodied adults without dependents ... READ MORE
Free service empowers Michigan residents to navigate health care supports LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (... READ MORE
