Preventative Health

At Crossover, we believe that health is a lifelong journey, not a destination. We also know that health isn’t just physical – mental health, social wellbeing, life satisfaction, and the way your culture views health are all essential factors to your overall well being. Together, these elements impact what we call your “healthspan”, or the amount of time in your life that you spend in good health. At Crossover, we want your healthspan to be as long as possible. Watch the video below to learn more.

What is health?

So where does prevention fit into healthspan? Regular health screenings can help you identify potential health problems early. Prevention can include tests, exams, questionnaires or immunizations that can address  health risks before they become serious. By finding and treating these issues early, you can take steps to manage your health and possibly prevent illnesses. At Crossover, we believe that getting preventative health is key to expanding your healthspan.

Just like your healthspan, we believe that preventative health is not a once-a-year discussion, but an ongoing journey. Any visit with your primary care provider is a great time to discuss preventative health. If you don’t have a particular need to see your primary care provider, you can make a Preventive Health Assessment appointment just to talk about how to stay healthy and prevent problems in the future.

Preventative health includes:

• Vaccinations: Staying up-to-date with immunizations helps prevent infectious diseases and protects you, your family, and your community from outbreaks.
• Screening Tests: Screening tests help detect potential health issues before they cause noticeable symptoms. Think mammograms for breast cancer, pap smears for cervical cancer, colonoscopies for colon cancer, and blood pressure checks.
• Lifestyle: Engaging in regular physical activity, following a healthy diet and avoiding harmful habits such as smoking, drug use or excessive alcohol consumption help create overall wellbeing and reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
• Mental Health Care: Prioritizing mental wellbeing is essential for overall health. Seeking therapy or counseling when needed, managing stress, and maintaining positive relationships are crucial aspects of preventative health.
• Social Determinants of Health: How you live, learn, eat, work, and play all affect not only how much you enjoy your life now,  but your future health and the likelihood that you could develop health issues. These determinants refer to the social, economic, and environmental factors that can impact your long-term wellbeing.

When you come to Crossover, we dive deep into all of these essential aspects of health. Now let’s take a deeper look at each of them.

Vaccinations work by helping our bodies fight off harmful germs that can make us sick. Here’s how they do it:

1. Recognizing the Germs: Vaccines contain tiny bits of the germs that cause diseases. These bits are weakened or made inactive, so they can’t make us sick. They are chosen carefully to train our immune system to recognize the germs.
2. Activating the Body’s Defense: Vaccines activate our immune system – it’s like an army getting ready to fight. Our immune system starts making special proteins called antibodies that can find and destroy the germs.
3. Training the Immune System: The vaccine helps our body learn how to fight germs without actually getting sick. It teaches our immune system how to make the right antibodies to attack the germs and protect us.
4. Remembering the Germs: After we get a vaccine, our immune system creates a memory. It remembers how to fight the specific germs. So, if we ever come across those germs again, our immune system can quickly recognize them and fight them off before they make us sick.
5. Staying Safe and Healthy: By getting vaccinated, we protect ourselves from getting sick or getting really sick if we do catch the germs. Vaccines also help protect others in our community, especially those who can’t get vaccinated, like babies or people with weak immune systems.

It’s important to note that vaccines undergo rigorous testing and regulatory processes to ensure their safety and efficacy. They are continuously monitored for any potential side effects or adverse reactions. Vaccinations have been incredibly successful in preventing numerous diseases and have played a critical role in saving lives and reducing the burden of infectious illnesses worldwide. 

Below you’ll find information on some of the vaccines you’ll be asked about as part of preventative health at Crossover.

Addressing Vaccine Anxiety

Measles, Mumps, Rubella

Influenza

Varicella

Pneumococcal Conjugate

COVID-19

TDaP

Hepatitis Awareness

Screening tests play a big role in preventive health, but we understand that they can sometimes feel intimidating. This section guides you through the types of screening tests included in preventative health and can help you understand what to expect. Our goal is to make the process less daunting and help you feel more at ease.

Colorectal Cancer Screening

Colorectal Cancer is the 3rd most common cancer in the US. The good news is that screening early helps reduce your chances of dying from colon cancer. The US Preventive Services Task Force now recommends starting screening at age 45 (or earlier if at higher risk). Take a look at these resources to learn about your options for screening.

Colorectal Cancer Screening

Detección del cáncer colorrectal

If you and your provider decide a colonoscopy is the best option for you, you may have some questions on what to expect. Check out our podcast episode on colonoscopies for some great tips on the colonoscopy preparation process!

Breast Cancer Screening

Approximately 30% (1 in 3) of all new breast cancer cases are diagnosed in people assigned female at birth each year. It’s important to note that you can still develop breast cancer if you are transgender or non-binary. Early detection is crucial to improving outcomes – routine screenings, including mammograms, can identify breast cancer at an early stage. If you’ve never had a mammogram, don’t worry – but make sure you check out the resources below to learn what to expect.

Breast Cancer Screening
Breast Cancer Screening (Spanish)

Cervical Cancer Screening

Cervical cancer is a disease where cells grow abnormally in the lower part of the uterus known as the cervix. Each year, over 13,000 people assigned female at birth are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the US. It’s important to note that cervical cancer can also affect transgender men and non-binary people assigned female at birth. Getting a pap smear at the recommended interval of 3-5 years is key to early detection. If a pap smear is new to you, take a look at our resources below to find out more.

Cervical Cancer Screening
Cervical Cancer Screening (Spanish)

Blood Pressure Screening

We screen for blood pressure as part of preventive health for a few reasons:

1. Early Detection of Hypertension: High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, often has no noticeable symptoms. Regular blood pressure screenings help determine if you have hypertension at an early stage, which means your provider can intervene and help you manage symptoms before they advance.
2. Prevention of Complications: Untreated or poorly controlled high blood pressure can lead to serious health complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney problems, and damage to blood vessels. By identifying high blood pressure through screening, your provider can help you take the appropriate measures to prevent or minimize potential complications.

Fortunately, screening for blood pressure is simple and easy and can be done by your provider or in the comfort of your own home. 

Find out more about blood pressure and what your numbers mean using the resource below.

Blood Pressure – What Do Your Numbers Mean?

If you want to take blood pressure readings at home, these resources can help:

How to Measure your Blood Pressure at Home

Blood Pressure Log

If you’d like to learn more about a healthy lifestyle for heart health (including blood pressure), visit our Heart Smart Page.

Hemoglobin A1c

We test hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) as part of preventive health screenings for several reasons:

1. Diabetes Detection: HbA1c is a blood test that shows the average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. It helps diagnose and monitor diabetes. By testing HbA1c levels, healthcare providers can identify whether you have undiagnosed diabetes or prediabetes. This early detection allows for timely intervention and proper management.
2. Assessing Diabetes Management: If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, regular HbA1c testing helps evaluate how well your blood sugar levels are regulating over time. It also provides important information about the effectiveness of diabetes management strategies, like medication, diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes.
3. Predicting Diabetes Risk: HbA1c testing can also assess your risk of developing diabetes in the future. Even if your HbA1c levels are within the normal range, elevated levels may indicate that you have a higher risk of progressing to diabetes. With this information,  your healthcare provider can offer guidance on lifestyle modifications and preventive measures to help reduce your risk of diabetes.

How exactly does the HbA1c work? How is it able to tell your provider about your average blood sugar levels over 3 months just using a blood test? The video below explains it all.

You can learn even more about the HbA1c here:

Hemoglobin A1c

At Crossover, we want to understand your lifestyle so we can help you optimize your wellbeing and long-term health. Here are just some of the areas your provider will explore.

Physical Activity

Staying active is an essential part of staying healthy. Your provider will want to get a sense of how you like to exercise, and how often. They’ll use this information to help you set healthy goals and connect you with the right resources for your lifestyle and needs.

You can also check out any of our other exercise resources here:

Crossover Fitness

Exercise Basics

Alcohol Use

Your provider asks about your alcohol consumption because it will give them a sense of your potential risk for liver disease, heart problems, cancer, or mental health issues. It can also give them insights into whether you may have other alcohol-related problems. These conversations open the door to early prevention and resources to help you maintain a healthy relationship with alcohol.

Drug Use

Screening for drug use as part of preventive health serves an important purpose. It helps providers assess your risk for substance abuse, identify patterns of drug use or potential drug-related problems, and enables appropriate guidance or referral to support services or treatment programs.

Tobacco Use

Your provider will also ask about whether you use tobacco to understand whether you might be at risk for tobacco-related health problems. If you do use tobacco, they can give you advice on how to quit or refer you to programs that can help you quit smoking.

If you are interested in quitting tobacco, take a look at our Tobacco Cessation Page.

At Crossover, we believe mental health is part of your overall health. Screening for anxiety and depression on a regular basis is important. If you get screened for anxiety and depression as part of your regular health check-up, it can help catch any symptoms early. This means you can get help sooner, which can lead to better outcomes and a better quality of life. It can also help uncover suicidal thoughts and behaviors sooner so you can get the help you need. Taking care of your mental health has amazing benefits: it can improve your physical health, your relationships, and your performance at school or work. Don’t be afraid to talk to your healthcare provider about screening for anxiety and depression. It can make a big difference in your life.

Check out this video on the PHQ and GAD which is how we screen you for depression and anxiety.

If you are interested in learning more about mental health, take a look at our Mental Health Essentials and Stress and Resilience Be Well pages.

You may not realize it, but a range of social factors can greatly affect your overall wellbeing and the likelihood of developing health problems. These determinants include social, economic, and environmental factors that can impact your health outcomes.

Intimate Partner Violence

Intimate partner violence (IPV) refers to any form of abuse or violence that occurs within a close relationship or between intimate partners. It can involve physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological harm inflicted by one partner onto the other. IPV can occur in heterosexual or same-sex relationships, and it affects individuals of all genders, ages, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Examples of intimate partner violence include physical assault, sexual coercion, emotional manipulation, stalking, threats, and controlling behaviors. IPV is a serious health issue that can have long-lasting physical, emotional, and social consequences on your health.

Because Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) can profoundly affect your overall health and safety, healthcare providers screen for signs of IPV, and can connect you with resources and protection services if you are experiencing any signs of IPV to break the cycle of abuse. You can learn about healthy relationships and what abusive behaviors look like. You can also get support identifying any necessary medical care and specialized services that may help in your recovery. Though these questions can be hard to talk about, Crossover has created a safe space for you to share your experience and get the help and support you need to heal and ultimately, thrive.

Interested to hear more about IVP? Check out our podcast.

Loneliness

Loneliness may not seem like a health concern at first, but it can significantly impact your mental and physical wellbeing. If you’ve ever experienced loneliness, you likely know how important your social connections are to maintaining good health. Chronic loneliness can increase your risks of experiencing depression, anxiety, and a range of physical health issues. If you are feeling lonely, healthcare providers can offer support, intervention strategies, and resources to help you get through the slump. It allows for proactive prevention and intervention, promoting social support, community engagement, and an improved sense of well-being for individuals affected by loneliness.

For more information on loneliness, take a look at the resources on our Loneliness Be Well page. 

Food Access

At Crossover, we’ll also ask you about your access to nutritious food. This is important because having enough healthy food is a big part of staying healthy. If you don’t have enough food or struggle to find healthy options, your provider can help you find resources like food assistance programs, community gardens, or nutrition education. By checking on your food access, your provider is also working to make sure that everyone, regardless of their income or where they live, has the same chance to be healthy.

For more information on food access, look at the resources on our Food Access Be Well page.

Housing Stability

Having a stable and safe place to live plays a big role in your overall health. When we assess your housing stability, we can identify if you have any housing-related challenges or if you’re at risk of homelessness. This information helps your provider connect you with resources and support services like housing assistance programs, financial counseling, or community organizations that can help you find and maintain stable housing. By addressing housing stability, your providers are working to ensure that you have a secure foundation for good health and well-being.

Financial Stability

Financial stability has a direct impact on your stress levels, mental health, and often relationships, among other factors. For that reason, we assess your financial situation to identify any challenges or risks you may be facing. We believe that addressing financial stability can help improve your overall health and quality of life by reducing stress and allowing you to better manage your finances.

If you are experiencing any financial challenges or risks, your Crossover provider can connect you with resources like financial counseling, budgeting assistance, or public assistance programs that can give you a path forward and alleviate some of the pressure.  By reducing the financial burden on you and your family, we strive to improve your overall health, wellbeing, and outlook on life.

Your Crossover care team is here to help. We have coaches who can make a plan so you know where to start. Our mental health team can talk you through your stress and anxiety. Our physical therapy team can help you recover from injury with safe movement. Or you can start with a primary care visit. Wherever and whenever you’re ready to begin, just connect with your Crossover care team. We want you to be well.