Preventive care—checkups, screenings and vaccinations—is one of the most effective tools for catching health problems early and avoiding them altogether. Yet many adults fall behind on routine care simply because of busy schedules or uncertainty about what’s needed and when. This September, our Wellness Initiative encourages every employee to take a fresh look at their preventive health plan.
The case for prevention
Chronic disease is far more common than most people realize. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, three in four American adults have at least one chronic condition, and more than half have two or more. The burden grows with age: about 60% of adults ages 18-34 have at least one chronic condition, compared with more than 75% of adults ages 35-64 and more than 90% of adults 65 and older (1). These conditions, including heart disease, cancer and diabetes, are among the leading causes of death and disability in the U.S. and are also major drivers of the nation’s $5.3 trillion in annual health care costs (1).
The encouraging news: Many of these conditions are tied to a short list of modifiable risk factors, such as smoking, poor nutrition, physical inactivity and excessive alcohol use. Routine screening and healthy habit changes can meaningfully reduce risk (1).
Vaccination: A simple, underused tool
Vaccines remain one of the easiest ways adults can protect themselves, yet there is room to grow:
- In 2024, only 67.1% of adults 65 and older had gotten a flu vaccine in the past 12 months, down from 70.5% in 2019 (2).
- Just 64.7% of older adults report ever having received a pneumococcal, or pneumonia, vaccine—also a decline from 2019 (2).
- Vaccination rates vary notably by age, race and income. For example, flu vaccination ranged from 57.9% among adults with incomes below the federal poverty level to 73.6% among higher-income adults (2).
- The CDC now recommends the RSV vaccine for all adults 75 and older, and for adults 50-74 at increased risk of severe RSV, along with routine flu, COVID-19, shingles (for adults 50 and older) and pneumococcal vaccines. Age eligibility for the pneumococcal vaccine was lowered to 50 and older in October 2024 (3).
Routine checkups still matter
Beyond vaccines, the CDC continues to emphasize routine physicals, blood pressure and cholesterol checks, cancer screenings—colorectal screening is now recommended starting at age 45—and awareness of family health history as core pillars of a preventive care plan (4). Without a regular provider relationship, adults are significantly less likely to receive these preventive services.
Small steps, real impact
You don’t need to overhaul your routine overnight. The CDC’s own guidance suggests starting small: Take a short walk today, add one vegetable to a meal, swap a sugary drink for water, aim for seven to nine hours of sleep, or make a plan to quit smoking if applicable (5). Paired with staying current on checkups and vaccines, these habits compound over time.
Take action this September
Talk to your provider about which screenings and vaccines are right for your age and health history. Don’t put it off. A single visit can catch a problem early, update a vaccine that’s lapsed, or simply give you peace of mind.
Check what vaccines you may be due for using the CDC’s Adult Immunization Schedule and this fall, visit an on-campus vaccine clinic for faculty and staff.
Getting immunized is quick, safe and one of the most effective ways to protect your health and the health of those around you. Make it part of your preventive care plan today.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “About Chronic Diseases.” Updated 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/about/index.html
- National Center for Health Statistics. “Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccination Coverage Among Adults Aged 65 and Older: United States, 2019 and 2024.” NCHS Data Brief No. 547, January 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db547.pdf
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Vaccination Trends | Respiratory Illnesses.” https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/data/vaccination-trends.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Prevention | PLACES.” https://www.cdc.gov/places/measure-definitions/prevention.html
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Are You Up to Date on Your Preventive Care?” Updated Aug. 15, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/prevention/preventive-care.html