Preventive Care in 2026: What Patients Should Be Doing Before They Get Sick

By Mark A. Woodburn, MDGrob, Scheri, Woodburn, and Griffin Family Medicine

Not long ago, preventive care meant stopping by your doctor’s office once a year, getting a quick exam, and hearing, “Everything looks fine.” In 2026, preventive care means much more than that. Today, it’s about keeping things fine; through proactive, personalized, and smarter healthcare that focuses on preventing problems before they disrupt your life.

Think of preventive care as routine maintenance for your body. It’s far easier to keep things running smoothly than to deal with emergency repairs later. At our practice, we like to think of ourselves as your co-pilot, helping you stay ahead of illness instead of reacting to it.

Screenings Matter; Even When You Feel Great

Feeling healthy is wonderful, but it isn’t a medical test. Many serious health conditions develop quietly, without noticeable symptoms in the early stages. That’s why routine screenings and annual checkups remain essential, even for people who feel perfectly fine.

Adults should prioritize yearly physicals, blood pressure checks, cholesterol and blood sugar testing, and age-appropriate cancer screenings such as colonoscopies, mammograms, and cervical cancer screenings. In recent years, some recommendations have shifted—for example, colon cancer screening often begins earlier than it once did.

Preventive care is not one-size-fits-all. Women need to stay current with breast and cervical cancer screenings, while men should begin paying attention to heart health sooner than they might expect. The best approach is a personalized one, tailored to your age, family history, and risk factors; much like a well-fitted suit. The better the fit, the better the results.

The Power of a Primary Care Relationship

Establishing a relationship with a primary care provider before health issues arise is one of the most important steps patients can take. When something does come up, you’re not starting from scratch. We already know your baseline, what’s normal for you, and what isn’t.

That familiarity allows for quicker diagnoses, smarter decisions, and fewer unnecessary tests. Preventive care works best when it’s built on trust—not panic. (And while it’s tempting, Googling symptoms at 2 a.m. is not a reliable long-term healthcare strategy.) Long-term health works best when it’s supported by a long-term relationship.

Lifestyle: The Foundation of Prevention

Lifestyle habits are the backbone of preventive care. While medications have their place, daily habits are what truly change health trajectories over time.

If lifestyle changes feel overwhelming, don’t aim for perfection. Start small and boring—and stick with it. Walk more. Sleep 30 minutes longer. Drink more water. Consistency beats intensity every time. Preventive care is about progress, not guilt.

Technology: Helpful Data, Meaningful Action

Advances in technology have transformed preventive care. Today, we have more sophisticated lab testing, including advanced cholesterol markers like ApoB and Lipoprotein(a), and imaging such as coronary artery calcium scans that can detect heart disease before symptoms appear.

Wearable devices can track heart rate, sleep, activity, and even glucose levels, while patient portals make communication easier than ever. But data alone isn’t enough. At our office, every provider is supported by a dedicated nurse to help interpret information and turn it into meaningful action. Technology gives us insight; preventive care turns that insight into better health.

Catching the “Silent” Conditions Early

Some of the most dangerous conditions are also the quietest. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, prediabetes, and early kidney disease often cause no symptoms at first, yet they can lead to serious problems later. Preventive care helps catch these issues early, before they make headlines in your life.

A Simple Truth About Prevention

If you avoid the doctor because you feel fine, are too busy, or worry about what you might find out, you’re not alone. But avoiding care doesn’t prevent problems; it only delays knowing about them. And earlier is almost always easier. Preventive visits are far more often about reassurance than bad news.

The key takeaway is simple: don’t wait for symptoms to introduce you to the healthcare system. Preventive care is the most powerful, least dramatic way to protect your future health—and there’s no better time than now to invest in yourself.

At Grob, Scheri, Woodburn, and Griffin Family Medicine, we focus on proactive, personalized care; before problems start and long before they become emergencies. When the unexpected does happen, we’re here for that too. Your health. Your future. Let’s stay ahead of sickness.