Annual Wellness Guidelines for Ages 40 to 49
Helping you thrive in a life well-lived
Quartz is dedicated to supporting you with the resources and guidance you need to succeed on your health and wellness journey — whenever and wherever that may be. From preventive screenings to immunizations and general guidelines, we’re here to keep you informed and feeling confident about what’s best for you and your health.
Ages 40 to 49
The checkups, screenings, and immunizations listed are recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While these are recommendations, we encourage you to talk to your provider about your best options.
Wellness check
- Annual routine physical exam, check blood pressure, assess overall health, and screen for healthy weight.
Screening tests
- HIV/AIDS: Check between the ages 15 and 65.
- Cholesterol: Check every five years.
- Hepatitis c: For adults ages 18 to 79.
- Colon cancer: Regular screenings are recommended starting at age 45. Options include stool tests, flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, and CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy).
- Diabetes (Type 2): For adults 40 to 70 years who are overweight or obese.
Immunizations
- Influenza (flu): Annual flu vaccine.
- MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella): Adults ages 19 to 59 should have at least one dose of the vaccine recorded in their medical charts.
- Tdap/Td (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis/tetanus and diphtheria): Adults under age 65 should receive a tetanus vaccine (Tdap or Td) every 10 years.
- COVID-19 vaccine: The CDC recommends adults ages 40 to 49 participate in a primary three-part COVID vaccine series. This series is recommended and followed by a booster dose dependent on the participant’s age, brand of vaccine received during the primary series, and the length of time since the last dose was received. Please speak with your provider or visit cdc.gov/coronavirus for more guidance and information.
Preventive screenings
- Cervical cancer: Women ages 30 to 65 should have a Pap test every three years, or high-risk HPV (hrHPV) every five years, or a Pap test with hrHPV screening every five years.
- Breast cancer screening: Talk to your provider about options for breast cancer screening. Decide together when to schedule your first mammogram
- Pregnancy: Women who are pregnant or looking to become pregnant should take a daily vitamin or supplement containing 0.4 to 0.3 mg of folic acid.
- Colorectal cancer screening: Recommended between the ages of 45 to 75 to get tested regularly. Frequency is best decided by individual risk factors and the doctor’s recommendation.
Use this interactive tool to receive personalized screening recommendations.