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Preventive and Well Care

The following preventive care services are offered at the Student Health Center

Under the Affordable Care Act, the health care reform law passed in 2010, you may be able to get these services at no cost to you. Check with your insurance provider to find out what's included in your plan. For more information about the Affordable Care Act visit HealthCare.Gov.


  1. High blood pressure screening
    Have your blood pressure checked at least every 2 years starting at age 18, and more often if you are over age 40.
  2. High cholesterol screening
    Have your cholesterol checked if you are a
    • Man age 35 and older
    • Man under age 35 who has heart disease, or risk factors for heart disease*
    • Woman who has heart disease, or risk factors for heart disease*
      *Risk factors for heart disease include positive family history of early heart disease, smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.
  3. Diabetes screening
    Be checked for diabetes if you have elevated blood pressure. Other organizations recommend checking for diabetes in people with other diabetes risk factors (see Table 1).
  4. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening
    • Get checked for HIV at least once if you are between the ages 15 and 65 or if you are pregnant.
    • Get tested for HIV at least once a year if you have unprotected sex (sex without a condom) with someone who may have HIV, have sex with men who have sex with men, take illegal drugs using needles, have a sex partner who is HIV-positive (has HIV), or have had a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
    • Get tested every 3 to 6 months if you are a man who has sex with men, have sex with more than one partner, have sex with people you don't know, or have sex for drugs or money.
  5. Chlamydia screening
    Get checked for chlamydia if you are a
    • Sexually active woman under age 24
    • Sexually active woman 24 years of age and older at increased risk, e.g. multiple sex partners
    • Man who is worried about chlamydia or who has symptoms of chlamydia (burning on urination, discharge from penis)
  6. Cervical cancer screening
    Women should be checked for cervical cancer every 3 years during their 20's, and every 5 years after age 30.
  7. Alcohol misuse screening
    For most adults, moderate drinking doesn't cause any serious health problems. Moderate drinking is defined as 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks per day for men. A drink is equal to one bottle of beer (12 oz.), one glass of wine (5 oz.), or one shot of liquor (1.5 oz.).
  8. Smoking screening
    You can get free help with quitting by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669) or by visiting smokefree.gov.
  9. Obesity screening
    • Finding out your body mass index (BMI) is the best way to learn if you are at a healthy weight. Use this Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator to find out your BMI and what it means for you. BMI Calculator
    • For more information on obesity visit "Watch Your Weight" at healthfinder.gov.
  10. Vaccinations
    • Get a Flu Shot every year.
    • Get a single pertussis booster starting at age 11.
    • Get Gardisil (HPV vaccine) if you are a male or female between ages 11 and 26.
    • Additional informaton on vaccinations

Risk Factors for Type 2 diabetes

  • Age of 45 years or older
  • Family history of diabetes
  • Previously identified impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)
  • High blood pressure (HTN)
  • History of vascular disease
  • Low HDL cholesterol and high triglyceride levels
  • Race/ethnicity (African-American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander)
  • History of gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy)
  • History of delivering a baby weighing greater than 9 pounds
  • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
  • Overweight
  • Physical inactivity
Last Updated: 5/21/21