It’s no secret that many adults, including Black adults, don’t go to the doctor as often as they should.
A recent KFF analysis found that while Black adults were more likely than their white counterparts to report getting a routine checkup, nearly 20% still went without one in a single year.
“Unfortunately, a lot of us think ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,’” Dr. Felecia Sumner, a board-certified family medicine physician who specializes in integrative, functional, and holistic medicine, told theGrio by phone on Tuesday. “So many times we prefer that ignorance is bliss, but when it comes to your health, that’s probably one of the most damaging mindsets.”
For Black Americans, who continue to face some of the nation’s most adverse health disparities, from extreme barriers to even getting in the door to often worse outcomes, staying on top of preventive care can be especially critical. With conditions ranging from hypertension and diabetes to certain cancers developing without obvious symptoms, doctors are sharing the vital health screenings adults should prioritize as we approach our 30s, 40s, and 50s.
For one, the body can change dramatically as we age, from hormonal shifts and metabolic changes to an increased risk of certain diseases.
“Between those particular ages, you’re dealing with a number of hormonal transitions that can influence things like inflammation, mitochondrial signaling, your nervous system, and things like cancer risk certainly start to creep up,” Sumner explained.
A recent study by Stanford Medicine found that the body undergoes significant molecular changes around the mid-40s and again by the mid-60s, so one can only assume quite a lot can happen in between that manifests those changes.
Starting around age 30, Sumner generally recommends checking cholesterol levels through a lipid panel, along with additional testing depending on a patient’s individual risk factors.
“I usually try to include an ApoB profile (an advanced blood test that measures the total number of artery-clogging particles circulating in your blood) along with that, and a CRP, which checks for inflammation and higher genetic risk for heart disease, along with the cholesterol screening,” she added.
Sumner, who is based in Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, noted that HPV testing is another important consideration alongside cervical cancer screenings, which are done with a Pap smear, depending on a patient’s age and medical history. Other important screenings, as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, can include blood pressure, diabetes, sexually transmitted infections, mental health and breast health assessments, as well as skin cancer evaluations when appropriate.
Meanwhile, Dr. Jen Caudle, a family physician and associate professor at Rowan University in New Jersey, also recommends STI screenings and potentially earlier colorectal cancer screening for those with an increased risk or family history that warrants it.
“The age at which we start screening generally applies to only the person at average risk, like the general public. But there are many of us with risk factors that make us higher risk, so the screening should start earlier,” she told theGrio on Tuesday.
Starting at age 40, women at “average” risk are generally recommended to begin mammograms every two years, though screening may start earlier depending on individual risk and family history. Colorectal cancer screening, as outlined by the American Cancer Society, typically begins at age 45. In contrast, conversations about prostate cancer screening may begin around age 45 for Black men, who face an elevated risk of developing the disease.
Black women are 38% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women, despite being slightly less likely to develop it, according to the American Cancer Society’s 2025 report for Black Americans. Meanwhile, Black men have a 67% higher incidence of prostate cancer than white men and are more than twice as likely to die from the disease. Black Americans also experience colorectal cancer death rates roughly 40% to 50% higher than their white counterparts.
Beyond cancer, regular health screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar deserve just as much attention, particularly because high or dangerous levels can go unnoticed until it’s much too late. For instance, hypertension can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and complications during pregnancy, while diabetes can contribute to kidney disease, nerve damage, and other serious health problems.
In fact, according to the CDC, approximately 58% of Black adults have hypertension, the highest prevalence of any racial or ethnic group in the United States. Deficiencies in certain nutrients, including Vitamin D, are another concern disproportionately affecting Black Americans.
As adults enter their 50s, additional screenings that may become necessary include lung cancer screening for people with certain smoking histories and bone density testing for postmenopausal women at increased risk of osteoporosis. Dental and vision examinations also become increasingly important with age, particularly for those living with diabetes or other conditions that can affect eye health.
“You might be able to catch something before it becomes disease, which warrants medication and expensive treatments and a lot of time takes you away from your family and your jobs and the things that you love to do,” Sumner said, adding, “Probably one of the most empowering things that you can do is get yourself screened.”
It’s also about developing a good routine and relationship with your doctor and understanding the difference between appointments. An annual checkup is an important starting point, but it isn’t necessarily enough to address every health concern. For instance, many adults may not realize that a one-time hepatitis C screening is recommended for most adults, regardless of whether they have symptoms.
“A lot of people don’t know that,” Caudle expressed.
“So as a doctor, I’m often putting that on routine lab work when people are coming for their physicals, when they’re coming to get blood work,” she continued. “So if you’re not coming to the doctor regularly, these are some things that might get missed.”
Regular appointments also provide an opportunity to discuss any symptoms or changes in your body, from occasional soreness to unusual sensations, persistent discomfort or other concerns that might otherwise go unaddressed.
“Any symptoms or concerns that you have, making sure that you’re safe at home and so many other things,” Caudle said, can and should come up during these regular appointments.
For some, understanding how to get the most out of their appointments is key as well. Many of us think we need one date on the calendar each year, and while an annual checkup is a great habit to develop, it’s really only the beginning.
“Sometimes the visits get a little confusing based on insurance coverage and things like that,” Caudle admitted. “So the terminology that I often use in my office, that I practice, is that we think about a well visit versus a, say, problem-focused visit or a sick visit.”
A well visit is generally an opportunity to review preventive screenings, assess health risks, and discuss ways to stay healthy. Meanwhile, those bumps, bruises, and “why is my knee doing that?” questions that come up throughout the year don’t necessarily have to wait until the next annual appointment. That’s where problem-focused visits come in, allowing patients to address new symptoms and concerns as they arise.
“So think of that well visit as something that’s really important to do because we will go through your preventative screenings,” she continued. “We will often go through labs or order them. We will often make sure that we’re counseling you on particular things, and let’s not forget vaccines. Vaccines are very important.”
The medical expert noted that staying current on vaccinations, including those for the flu, COVID-19, and HPV, as well as tetanus boosters, which are generally recommended every 10 years, is another important aspect of preventive care. Recommendations can vary depending on age, vaccination history, underlying health conditions, and other individual risk factors, particularly for immunocompromised individuals.
“A lot of people don’t know,” Caudle said.
“That’s why going to the doctor is important,” she continued. “I don’t expect people to know that stuff. It’s not the patient’s job. But if we don’t go to the doctor, we may not be privy to or have that opportunity.”
Ultimately, preventive care is about allowing you and your medical team to identify potential problems early, when they may be easier to manage or treat, and to establish a clearer picture of your health before something goes wrong.
“Prevention is cure,” Sumner noted, adding that she hopes people are mindful “of the fact that us being able to prevent disease is the best way, really, to treat disease.”
