Time for a check-up?
Physical HealthArticle13 February 2024
Your guide to recommended health checks by age
Want to improve your health and wellbeing this year? If so, have you considered if all your health checks are up to date?
Preventative health screening can be an effective way to identify potential health issues before they become a problem. It can help you take proactive steps to prevent disease, increase longevity and feel your best. However, with so many different screening options available, it can be confusing to know which ones are right for you.
To take the uncertainty out of it, we've put together this guide to help you understand what health screening is all about. Additionally, booking in to see your GP is the best way to know which screening tests are most suitable for you, considering factors such as your age, gender, family history, and lifestyle.
What is health screening?
Screening is a targeted examination that is performed to detect the presence of a specific condition in people who may not yet have symptoms. The goal of screening is to identify potential health problems early, allowing for timely treatment and intervention. The frequency of screening tests depends on various factors, including the specific condition being screened for, age, risk factors and medical guidelines.
Are there specific health screenings by age group?
Certain conditions are more common in different genders, population groups and life stages. For example, cancer can occur at any age and to anyone, but some cancers are more common in specific groups. For example, testicular cancer is most common in men who are 30–34 years old, while the risk of bowel cancer increases after the age of 50 and the risk of lung cancer is higher in people who smoke cigarettes (80–90% of lung cancer deaths are associated with smoking)1–3.
The wide array of health checks and screening available can be confusing. Below, we’ve compiled the check-ups most relevant to age groups. These follow the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) guidelines, which are the accepted standard for high-quality patient care4. It's important to note that while screening tests are a great way to detect early signs of certain health conditions, this list is not exhaustive. If you have certain risk factors such as high blood pressure or cholesterol, your GP may recommend additional tests to ensure that you receive the appropriate care and treatment.
Are there additional health assessments for at-risk groups?
Certain community groups are at an increased risk of adverse health events, and further services are available to help prevent these. The following resources may be useful, but please note that this is not an exhaustive list and your doctor can provide more information.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can access free annual health checks and up to 10 free follow-up service appointments5.
- LGBTQIA+ people can access state or territory-specific support services and safe and inclusive care through the rainbow tick framework6,7.
- Refugees and asylum seekers can access visas, payments and health services nationally and additional health services through their state or territory8.
Health checks pay off!
Did you know that despite rising rates of diabetes globally, diabetes rates have been falling in Australia – and this is largely due to the quality of health check-ups, preventative screening and patient resources available nationwide9?
To put it simply, health checks and preventative screens work. So no matter what stage of life you’re at, make an appointment to get yours soon.
You can also rest easy knowing that Zurich is here to support you with services including the free My Wellbeing Hub, along with Zurich Evolve and a range of life insurance plans.
References:
1. Cancer Australia, ‘Testicular cancer’, 2024.
2. Cancer Council Victoria, ‘Bowel cancer statistics and trends’, 2023.
3. Cancer Council, ‘Smoking’, 2024.
4. RACGP: https://www.racgp.org.au/getattachment/c9b0be76-8320-4f64-b0f8-371ae429a41b/Lifecycle-chart.pdf.aspx
5. Department of Health and Aged Care, ‘Annual health checks for Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people’, 2022.
6. Reach Out, ‘LGBTQIA+ support services’, 2023.
7. Rainbow Health Australia, ‘Rainbow Tick’, 2024.
8. Services Australia, ‘Refugees and asylum seekers’, 2023.
9. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, ‘Diabetes: Australian facts’, 2023.
