Health Care Resources
Staying Healthy At 50 Plus
An article from the AARP website
This information will help you work with your doctor, nurse, or other health professional to stay healthy. The following guidelines provide information about how often you might need a specific screening test, exam, or shot, as well as questions to ask your doctor. Use the charts at the bottom of the page to track your care.
What You Should Know
All of the information and recommendations here are based on research reviewed by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a panel of private-sector health experts convened by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. All recommended checkups, tests, and shots have been proven by scientific evidence to be effective in preventing disease.
Because people have different needs, you should discuss with your doctor which screening tests and shots are right for you and when. That's why we will keep reminding you to ask your doctor questions. For example, women age 50 and older should have a mammogram every one to two years. But if your mother or sister had breast cancer, you might need a mammogram more often.
In addition to asking your doctor when you need certain tests, you also should ask:
- Why do I need these tests?
- How will I benefit from these tests?
- Should I have these tests done again? If so, why and when?
For More Information
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality offers consumer health information on a wide range of topics, including smoking, preventing medical errors, and prescription drugs.
Staying Healthy at 50 Plus
A joint publication of the Agency for Research and Quality, the Health Resources Administration, and AARP, this brochure is the source for the information outlined above.
Related Links on AARP Web Site
- Regular Checkups and Care
- Tests to Catch Diseases or Conditions Early
- Tests to Find Cancers
- Shots to Prevent Diseases
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