Preventive health and screening supports in British Columbia

Preventive health and screening supports in British Columbia

Last updated

Preventive health means taking proactive steps like screening to check for health issues, identifying and treating diseases at an early stage and slowing or stopping the progression of diseases. It’s a good idea to visit your health care provider regularly – even if you are healthy - these visits can help you avoid problems in the future. The purpose of these visits is to:

  • Screen for medical issues
  • Assess your risk for future medical problems
  • Encourage a healthy lifestyle
  • Help you stay up to date on immunizations

The following screenings are currently available in B.C., based on age and sex, and regardless of risk factors. Depending on your health status and risk factors for certain conditions, there may be other recommended screenings available to you that are not listed here. Speak to your health care provider to determine whether you may benefit from additional screenings.

On this page:

Healthy living during pregnancy and postpartum

If I am pregnant, I will make sure to:

  • Schedule regular check-ups with my health care provider during pregnancy and postpartum

If I am pregnant, I will talk to my health care provider about:

Healthy living for newborns (0-12 months)

Preventive care is important for newborns to help protect them from serious illnesses and find any possible problems early when they are easier to treat or manage. 

I will talk to my newborn’s health care provider about:

Healthy living for children and youth (1-15 years of age)

Preventive care plays an important role in helping children to stay healthy. In addition to helping to catch any potential health problems early, many behaviours that can affect health start in adolescence, so regular preventive visits with a health care provider can offer many benefits.

I will talk to my child’s health care provider at least once a year about:

Healthy living for young adults (15-19 years of age)

Preventive care plays an important role in helping young adults to stay healthy. In addition to helping to catch any potential health problems early, many behaviours that can affect health start in adolescence, so regular preventive visits with a health care provider can offer many benefits.

I will talk to my health care provider at least once a year about:

I will ask my health care provider whether I need tests this year for:

Healthy living by decade

Choose your decade below to find out what steps you can take for good health!

Healthy living in your 20s

You’re in your 20s! What can you do to live a healthier life?

Preventive care plays an important role in helping young adults to stay healthy. Regular preventive visits with a health care provider can offer many benefits.

I will talk to my health care provider at least once a year about:

I will ask my health care provider whether I need tests this year for:

Healthy living in your 30s

You’re in your 30s! What can you do to live a healthier life?

Preventive care plays an important role in helping young adults to stay healthy. Regular preventive visits with a health care provider can offer many benefits.

I will talk to my health care provider at least once a year about:

I will ask my health care provider whether I need tests this year for:

 Healthy living in your 40s

You’re in your 40s! What can you do to live a healthier life?

Preventive care plays an important role in helping adults to stay healthy. Regular preventive visits with a health care provider can offer many benefits.

I will talk to my health care provider at least once a year about:

I will ask my health care provider whether I need tests this year for:

Healthy living in your 50s

You’re in your 50s! What can you do to live a healthier life?

Preventive care provides opportunities for early detection and treatment before health issues become more challenging to manage as you age. Regular preventive visits with a health care provider can offer many benefits.

I will talk to my health care provider at least once a year about:

I will ask my health care provider whether I need tests this year for:

Healthy living in your 60s

You’re in your 60s! What can you do to live a healthier life?

Preventive care provides opportunities for early detection and treatment before health issues become more challenging to manage as you age. While many of the recommended screenings are the same across adult life, there are some additional things you can do to help yourself stay healthy as you get older. 

I will talk to my health care provider at least once a year about:

I will ask my health care provider whether I need tests this year for:

If I was born in the years 1945-1965, I will talk to my health care provider about one-time screening for:

  • Hepatitis C (HCV) – learn about HCV

Healthy living in your 70s and onward

In your 70’s and onward, what can you do to live a healthier life?

Preventive care provides opportunities for early detection and treatment before health issues become more challenging to manage as you age. While many of the recommended screenings are the same across adult life, there are some additional things you can do to help yourself stay healthy as you get older. 

I will talk to my health care provider at least once a year about:

I will ask my health care provider whether I need tests this year for:

If I was born in the years 1945-1965, I will talk to my health care provider about one-time screening for:

  • Hepatitis C (HCV) – learn about HCV