From the Guidelines
For adults aged 50 and older, an annual physical health assessment (PHA) is recommended to maintain optimal health and detect potential issues early, as supported by the American Cancer Society guidelines 1. This assessment should include:
- Blood pressure measurement
- Weight and BMI calculation
- Cholesterol screening
- Blood glucose testing
- Cancer screenings appropriate for age and gender, such as:
- Vaccination status review, with particular attention to:
- Influenza (annually)
- Pneumococcal vaccines (Prevnar 20 or Pneumovax 23)
- Shingles vaccine (Shingrix, two doses)
- Tdap boosters (every 10 years) The assessment should also include:
- Vision and hearing tests
- Bone density screening (especially for women)
- Comprehensive review of medications to prevent adverse interactions
- Mental health screening for depression and cognitive function These regular assessments help identify health concerns before they become serious, allowing for early intervention and treatment, and provide an opportunity to discuss lifestyle modifications like diet, exercise, and smoking cessation that can significantly impact long-term health outcomes 1.
From the Research
Annual PHA 50+ Overview
- The concept of an annual Physical Health Assessment (PHA) for individuals 50 and older is a topic of interest in the medical community, with various studies examining its benefits and drawbacks 2, 3, 4.
- Research suggests that regular physical activity, a key component of a PHA, can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, in older adults 2.
- However, the effectiveness of annual health checks in preventing disease and improving health outcomes is still a subject of debate, with some studies finding limited evidence to support their use 3, 4.
Benefits of Annual PHA 50+
- Annual health checks may be associated with increased detection of chronic diseases, such as depression and hypertension, and moderate improvements in controlling risk factors, such as blood pressure and cholesterol 4.
- They may also lead to improvements in patient-reported outcomes, such as quality of life and self-rated health, and increased uptake of clinical preventive services, such as colorectal and cervical cancer screening 4.
- Additionally, adopting a healthy lifestyle, including regular physical activity, a balanced diet, and avoidance of smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, can help reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases 5.
Limitations and Potential Adverse Effects
- Some studies have found that annual health checks may not be associated with reduced mortality or cardiovascular events, and may even lead to potential adverse effects, such as increased risk of stroke and mortality attributed to increased completion of advance directives 4.
- The effectiveness of annual health checks may also depend on various factors, including the individual's health status, risk factors, and access to healthcare services 4.
Special Considerations
- Certain populations, such as those with chronic kidney disease, may benefit from annual health checks and vaccinations, such as the influenza vaccine, which has been shown to have a protective effect against colorectal cancer in these individuals 6.
- Primary care teams may reasonably offer general health checks, especially for groups at high risk of overdue preventive services, uncontrolled risk factors, low self-rated health, or poor connection or inadequate access to primary care 4.