What Is Preventive Care?

In the medical profession, health care services are divided into two main categories: preventive and diagnostic. Preventive care encompasses services aimed at keeping you well. These services typically include:

• An annual check-up or wellness exam
• Blood pressure checks
• Vaccinations, including flu shots
• Screening for diabetes and high cholesterol

Diagnostic care refers to medical services in which your health care provider is looking for something specific, usually based on the symptoms you’re having or the results of a screening test or physical exam.

Why Is Preventive Health Care Important?

Both preventive and diagnostic medical services are critical to maintaining good health and quality of life. As the name indicates, preventive care seeks to prevent the development of serious health conditions through immunization against common diseases and the identification of potential medical problems that can be treated before they become major health threats.

However, many Americans skip their annual wellness visits and don’t get their recommended health screenings. According to a recent survey conducted by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, only about 8% of adults reported getting their recommended preventive care services. Estimates vary for children and teens, but several government agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), report that millions of children are not getting the preventive services they need.

One of the top reasons cited for both adults and children skipping their wellness visits is difficulty squeezing a medical consultation into their busy schedules. This is hardly surprising, given that many people have erratic work and school schedules and are also juggling child care and other family obligations.

Your Source for Preventive Care in Cape May County, NJ

Cape Regional Urgent Care is committed to making high-quality health care accessible to as many Cape May County residents and visitors as possible. Our three urgent care locations are open during extended hours every day of the week, including Saturday and Sunday. This makes it easy for patients to find time for a wellness visit or flu shot at one of our walk-in clinics.

Our wait times are short, and we don’t require appointments. We also offer a convenient online check-in service for those who want to save their spot in line before they arrive.

Types of Preventive Care Available at Our Urgent Care Clinics

The highly experienced, board-certified doctors at Cape Regional Urgent Care can provide a variety of preventive care services for infants, children, and adults. Our walk-in clinics also have on-site labs, so we can provide many of the screenings recommended as part of a robust preventive care routine. Some of our wellness services include:

• Physical exams, including blood pressure checks
• Tdap vaccinations against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis
• Tetanus vaccinations
• Flu shots
• Glucose testing
• STD testing

We have urgent care locations in Cape May Court House, Marmora, and Wildwood, which means we’re sure to have a walk-in clinic that’s conveniently located to anyone in Cape May County. For more information about the preventive care services we offer, contact the Cape Regional Urgent Care clinic that’s most convenient for you.