About this episode
Episode 199: Essential Screenings for Young AdultsDr. Lopez presents the most important screening tests for young adults. Dr. Arreaza adds some input on screening for depression and anxiety. Written by Alejandra Lopez, MD. Edits by Hector Arreaza, MD. Rio Bravo Family Medicine Residency Program. You are listening to Rio Bravo qWeek Podcast, your weekly dose of knowledge brought to you by the Rio Bravo Family Medicine Residency Program from Bakersfield, California, a UCLA-affiliated program sponsored by Clinica Sierra Vista, Let Us Be Your Healthcare Home. This podcast was created for educational purposes only. Visit your primary care provider for additional medical advice.Dr. Lopez: Screening is testing done to help identify disease in a person or population that typically appears healthy. Our goal as clinicians is to see which children are at increased risk of disease and will merit additional testing. For clinicians, testing should be both easy to perform and interpret. Now let’s talk about prevention in young adults.Dr. Arreaza: I can see it is important to talk about young adults because that population may be very hesitant to go to the doctor, in general. Tell us more about it.Dr. Lopez: We all know that early detection and prevention are key, but many young adults skip routine check-ups. Why is that? Sometimes it’s lack of awareness, fear, or just not knowing where to start. That’s why today, we’ll focus on four key screenings that every adolescent and young adult should know about.The Annual Physical ExamDr. Arreaza: I’m excited to talk about it. Many young adults only see a doctor when they’re sick, but screenings help catch issues early, sometimes before symptoms even appear. Tell us about the annual wellness exams and why they matter.Dr. Lopez: Let’s start with the basics—annual wellness exams. Many young people don’t feel the need to see a doctor if they’re feeling fine. So, these check-ups are important because many serious health conditions start silently, meaning no symptoms at first. Dr. Arreaza: What do we look for in an annual exam?Dr. Lopez: An annual check-up:· It is important to track growth and development (especially important for adolescents)It also helps monitor blood pressure, weight, and BMI to help find out who is at risk for elevated or low BP, underweight or overweight/obesity, by analyzing both weight and body mass index.· Discuss lifestyle habits like diet, exercise, and sleep· Evaluate whether you are up to date on vaccinations or due for age-appropriate vaccines.· Address any mental health concernsIt’s also a great opportunity for young people to establish a relationship with a provider they trust. This makes it easier to discuss sensitive topics like sexual health or mental health.Dr. Arreaza: So, you say that the annual
