Having an annual physical is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your health for the coming year and far beyond. It’s also the ideal time to ask about health screenings that can help you avoid serious health problems and play a more proactive role in your own wellness.
At Harbor Community Health Centers, our team is a leading provider of primary care services, including annual physical exams and comprehensive health screenings tailored to each patient’s needs. Here, learn about seven screenings that can help you stay healthy this year and for years to come.
Roughly one-half of American adults have high blood pressure, but only a quarter of those women and men have their hypertension under control. Why? In part because high blood pressure causes few or (typically) no symptoms on its own, making it difficult to detect without regular screening.
Staying on top of your blood pressure is critical: Without proper treatment, hypertension significantly increases your risks of stroke, heart attack, and heart disease, the leading cause of death for both women and men.
Even if your readings have been normal in the past, staying consistent with these checks is essential. Monitoring blood pressure over time also helps your provider see how stress, medications, diet, and age may be affecting your cardiovascular health.
Lipids are fatty substances in your blood—specifically HDL and LDL (“good” and “bad” cholesterol) and triglycerides —all key indicators of cardiovascular health. These substances play essential roles in health, but when levels are too high or too low, they can cause problems.
Like blood pressure, high lipid levels rarely cause symptoms, which means you may not realize you have a problem until a heart attack, stroke, or other serious issue happens. A cholesterol and lipid panel uses a small blood sample to measure these levels, providing us with critical information to help manage your risks and improve your long-term health and wellness.
Glucose is another term for blood sugar, and regular screening is vital for understanding your risk of diabetes. Without proper management, diabetes can lead to vision loss, nerve damage, limb amputation, and kidney failure, among other complications.
The CDC says that while diabetes affects nearly 40 million Americans, about 20% don’t even know they have it. Regular glucose screening helps us recommend lifestyle changes and treatments to help you manage your blood sugar and reduce your risk of diabetes.
Cancer is a leading cause of death in the United States and worldwide. To reduce your personal risk of cancer, we may recommend screening based on your age, gender, individual or family medical history, and other risk factors.
Screenings include mammograms, prostate screenings, Pap or HPV testing, colon cancer screening, skin cancer checks, and other screenings — again, depending on your own personal risks. Cancer screening is designed to identify cancers in their earliest — and most treatable— stages.
Physical exams aren’t just about “physical” problems — they evaluate your emotional wellness, too. Regular screenings for common mental health issues, like depression and anxiety, help identify problems early so they can be treated — ideally before more serious symptoms develop.
Most emotional health issues have a physical component involving brain chemistry or other issues (like dealing with stress or chronic illness). Regular screening helps us develop a plan so you can take control of your health and improve your overall quality of life.
Staying healthy in 2026 doesn’t just mean keeping up with your annual physical — it means taking an informed, proactive approach to preventive care. If you’re unsure which screenings you need or when to schedule them, our team is here to help. To learn how we can help, call 310-547-0202 to schedule an appointment with the Harbor Community Health Centers team at one of our two San Pedro locations today.
