When do you take your car to the mechanic? Once it’s already smoking on the side of the highway? Of course not – you do routine maintenance to keep everything running smoothly. While your body is far more valuable than a car, you can think of preventative care in the same way! What is preventative care, and how does Liberty HealthShare support you in this area? Read on to find out!
One thing that probably jumps to mind when thinking of preventative care are various checkups and screenings that you can undergo. A variety of future medical conditions, including serious diagnoses such as cancer, can be found with regularly scheduled medical screenings. Your physician, through using your family and medical history, can help you know which screenings would be necessary for you to consider. You can’t solve a problem until you know what it is, and medical screenings highlight the problems you need to solve!
Another important aspect of preventative care is to catch changes in your body or health that may not be apparent otherwise. While the screenings and checkups you receive can identify a smattering of problems, your relationship with your physician can identify possible areas of concern, even without a test! New persistent pains, large amounts of weight loss without striving to do so, or the presence of a new lump or mole are all changes in your health that can be identified and addressed by utilizing preventative medical care, even if you may not be “sick.”
Furthermore, you always want to be sure that you’re taking steps to mitigate your future health risks. Not only does doing so mean you have a higher quality of life, but you’ll also save on medical expenses! Preventative care can extend beyond what you can receive in a physician’s office. As a Liberty HealthShare member, you already don’t use tobacco products, which is a simple way to enact preventative care. If you have a regular routine of exercise, and if you follow a healthy diet, you’re already doing a lot to care for your future health!
Liberty HealthShare believes that the health of the whole person - physical, emotional, and spiritual - is important. We all want you to be happy and healthy. As always, seek the advice of your primary care physician when considering what preventive care, especially regarding the screenings you may require, is best for you to receive. Consult the Liberty HealthShare Sharing Guidelines to identify how your program can help support you in receiving preventative care. Proverbs 21:5 highlights the benefits of good planning, so plan your preventative care today!
