Your health plan already keeps a list like this about you — the industry calls them quality measures, and a nurse may phone to say you're "due." You shouldn't have to wait for a nurse to phone. The list was always yours to run. And it gets harder to hold in your head: new baby, three jobs, a parent to care for, the plain fog that comes with the years. So hold it here.
For every person · plain words · July 13, 2026 · in review 📋
Your lifetime prevention schedule.
A checkup catches things early. But the doctor screens you during the visit and then hands the remembering back to you — the mammogram in two years, the colonoscopy in ten, the shots that come due at 50 and 65. This is one page you keep for a lifetime: it already lists what's due at every age, so you just write in the date each time you go. Set it up once, and keep the remembering on paper. There's a technical page with every recommendation, its source, and its date.
One tree, three seasons. One page you keep for a lifetime.
Two tools, and why you still want this one
The U.S. government already built a free tool that generates your list: MyHealthfinder asks your age and sex and prints the screenings and vaccines recommended for you, in English or Spanish. Use it. But it prints a fresh list each time and then forgets you. No tool out there keeps the list — across the years, across the people you care for, with the dates you actually went and the next dates written down. That keeping is what this page is for. Generate with theirs; keep with this.
How it works — set it once, then just fill a box
1.
Make one copy per person. You, each child, your mother. Press Download your copy or Print / Save as PDF below — the file is yours, works offline, needs no account, and stays on your device.
2.
Take it to your next checkup. Ask your clinician: "Which of these do I need, and would you add or skip any for me?" Cross out what doesn't apply to you and add what they order. Now it's your schedule — because your family history and your body change the ages.
3.
Write the date the same day. After every visit, fill in the box for what you did. The empty boxes that are shaded are the things still owed — the page shows you at a glance.
4.
Once a year, glance at it. Pick your birthday — easier to remember than New Year's. Book what's owed. That's the whole habit.
The template
Type your dates straight into the shaded boxes on screen, then download or print: your dates come with it. Or print it blank and fill it in by hand. It runs birth to 100: the childhood years, then decade by decade, because what your body needs changes at each turn, and for women, some risks rise sharply around menopause (marked ♀).
| Activity | 0–18 | 20s | 30s | 40s | 50s | 60s | 70s | 80s+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Checkup / wellness visit | yearly | 1–3 yr | 1–3 yr | 1–2 yr | 1–2 yr | yearly | yearly | yearly |
| Blood pressure | every visit | ≤2 yr | ≤2 yr | yearly | yearly | yearly | yearly | yearly |
| Cholesterol | 9–11, 17–21 | 4–6 yr | 4–6 yr | 4–6 yr | 4–6 yr | 4–6 yr | ask | ask |
| Blood sugar / diabetes | — | if risk | if risk | 35+, ~3 yr | ~3 yr | ~3 yr | ask | ask |
| Colorectal cancer | — | — | — | start 45 | ongoing | to 75 | 76–85 ask | — |
| Mammogram | — | — | — | start 40, 2 yr | 2 yr | to 74 | ask | — |
| Cervical (Pap / HPV) | — | from 21 | 3–5 yr | 3–5 yr | 3–5 yr | stop ~65 | — | — |
| Bone density (DEXA) | — | — | — | if risk | if post-meno + risk | all women 65 | ongoing | ongoing |
| Prostate (PSA) talk | — | — | — | 45 if higher risk | 50, decide | to ~69 | ask | — |
| Aneurysm (AAA) scan | — | — | — | — | — | 65–75 if ever smoked | — | — |
| Lung CT (if smoked) | — | — | — | — | 50+, yearly | yearly | to 80 | — |
| Dental | 2×/yr | 2×/yr | 2×/yr | 2×/yr | 2×/yr | 2×/yr | 2×/yr | 2×/yr |
| Eye exam | as advised | as needed | as needed | as advised | as advised | 1–2 yr | 1–2 yr | 1–2 yr |
| Flu shot | yearly | yearly | yearly | yearly | yearly | yearly | yearly | yearly |
| Tetanus (Td/Tdap) | teen dose | 10 yr | 10 yr | 10 yr | 10 yr | 10 yr | 10 yr | 10 yr |
| Shingles (2 doses) | — | — | — | — | at 50 | done | done | done |
| Pneumonia (PCV) | — | — | — | — | at 50 | done | done | done |
| RSV | — | — | — | — | 50–74 if risk | at 75 | done | done |
| Falls / balance | — | — | — | — | — | 65+, ask | yearly | yearly |
This map is for people at average risk. Your clinician may change the ages based on family history and health, which is why step 2 asks you to review the schedule together.
Birth to 18 — the childhood years
the visits themselves are the checklist — protect the appointments and the vaccine card
The pediatrician runs the right checks at each visit. Your job is to keep the visits from being missed and to keep the shot record. Bring this to every visit.
| Stage | What's due (the doctor tracks the rest) | Dates done / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn | Blood-spot, hearing & heart-defect screens before leaving the hospital | |
| First year (0–1) | Well visits at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12 months · vaccines on schedule · first dental visit by age 1 | |
| Toddler (1–4) | Well visits 15, 18, 24, 30 mo then yearly · lead test at 12 & 24 mo if at risk · developmental check 18 & 30 mo · autism 18 & 24 mo | |
| Child (5–10) | Yearly well visit · vision & hearing · blood pressure · cholesterol once at 9–11 | |
| Preteen (11–12) | HPV vaccine (can start at 9) · Tdap · meningococcal (MenACWY) · yearly checkup · depression screening begins | |
| Teen (13–18) | Yearly checkup · MenACWY booster at 16 · cholesterol once at 17–21 · depression screening yearly · flu shot yearly |
Your 20s
set your adult baseline
New this decade: the adult baseline numbers begin — blood pressure, cholesterol from age 20. One-time HIV test (15–65) and hepatitis C test (18–79). Women: cervical screening starts at 21.
| Activity | When | Dates you did it |
|---|---|---|
| Checkup / wellness visit | every 1–3 yr | |
| Blood pressure | ≤ every 2 yr | |
| Cholesterol | from 20, 4–6 yr | |
| HIV test (once) · Hep C test (once) | once each | |
| Cervical (Pap) — women | from 21, every 3 yr | |
| Dental · flu shot · Td/Tdap booster | 2×/yr · yearly · 10 yr |
Your 30s
keep the baseline; a couple of things shift
New this decade: at 35, blood-sugar screening begins if you're overweight or diabetes runs in the family. Women: at 30, cervical screening can switch to an HPV test every 5 years. If cancer runs in the family, ask about a risk assessment now.
| Activity | When | Dates you did it |
|---|---|---|
| Checkup · blood pressure · cholesterol | visit 1–3 yr · BP ≤2 yr · chol 4–6 yr | |
| Blood sugar (if overweight / family history) | from 35 | |
| Cervical (HPV every 5 yr, or Pap every 3) — women | from 30 | |
| Family-history / BRCA check — women | once, if relevant | |
| Dental · flu · mental-health check | ongoing |
Your 40s
the decade the big screenings switch on
New this decade: mammograms start at 40 (women, every 2 years). Comprehensive eye exams matter more from here on; your eye doctor sets how often. Colorectal cancer screening starts at 45 — everyone. A heart-risk / statin conversation belongs somewhere in 40–75. Men at higher risk (Black men, or a father/brother with prostate cancer young): the prostate talk can start at 45.
| Activity | When | Dates you did it |
|---|---|---|
| Mammogram — women | start 40, every 2 yr | |
| Colorectal screening (everyone) | start 45 | |
| Comprehensive eye exam (yearly if diabetes) | as your eye doctor advises | |
| Blood sugar · cholesterol · blood pressure | ongoing | |
| Heart-risk / statin conversation | 40–75 | |
| Prostate talk — men at higher risk | from 45 |
♀ Women — the menopause transition
This is why the schedule can't just repeat every decade. Perimenopause usually begins somewhere in the mid-40s to mid-50s, and menopause arrives around 51–52 on average. When estrogen falls, two risks that used to be low start climbing — so two things you'd otherwise leave for later move up:
Bones. Bone loss speeds up after menopause. Everyone gets a bone-density (DEXA) scan at 65, but if you go through menopause with risk factors (a broken bone as an adult, a thin frame, steroids, family history), ask for one earlier. Find out before 65.
Heart. Before menopause, estrogen protects your arteries; after, your heart-disease risk rises toward a man's. That makes the blood-pressure, cholesterol, and blood-sugar rows matter more — keep them current through this decade and the next.
One red flag, worth memorizing: any bleeding after menopause is not normal. It's usually harmless, but it's the most common sign of a treatable cancer caught early — so it means a prompt call to your doctor. Do not wait to see whether it stops.
Your 50s
vaccines join the list; menopause for most women
New this decade: at 50, the shingles vaccine (2 doses) and the pneumonia vaccine (one dose). If you have a long smoking history, a yearly lung CT scan. The prostate talk for men at average risk. Menopause arrives for most women (avg ~51–52); carry the bone and heart notes above into this decade.
| Activity | When | Dates you did it |
|---|---|---|
| Shingles vaccine — dose 1, dose 2 | at 50, once | |
| Pneumonia vaccine (PCV) | at 50, usually once | |
| Lung CT — if 20-pack-year smoking history | yearly | |
| Colorectal · mammogram (women) · blood pressure · cholesterol · blood sugar | ongoing | |
| Prostate (PSA) talk — men, average risk | at 50, decide with your doctor | |
| Bone density — women, if post-menopausal with risk factors | before 65 if at risk |
Your 60s
Medicare, and the 65 milestones
New this decade: at 65, Medicare — use the free "Welcome to Medicare" visit, then the free Yearly Wellness Visit as your once-a-year moment to update this page. Bone-density scan for all women at 65. RSV vaccine at 75 (earlier if at risk). Men who ever smoked: a one-time aneurysm ultrasound, 65–75.
| Activity | When | Dates you did it |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare Yearly Wellness Visit | yearly from 65, free | |
| Bone density (DEXA) — all women | at 65 | |
| Aneurysm (AAA) ultrasound — men who ever smoked | once, 65–75 | |
| RSV vaccine (if at increased risk 50–74) | single dose | |
| Colorectal (to 75) · mammogram (to 74) · eye 1–2 yr · flu · falls check | ongoing |
Your 70s
a few things wind down; ask about stop-ages
New this decade: RSV vaccine at 75 for everyone. Some screenings now have a stop-age worth discussing (colorectal after 75, mammogram after 74): a real conversation with your clinician. Falls, hearing, vision, and memory get more attention.
| Activity | When | Dates you did it |
|---|---|---|
| RSV vaccine (everyone at 75) | single dose | |
| Yearly Wellness Visit · flu · falls & balance check | yearly | |
| Colorectal 76–85 · mammogram — "keep going?" talk | decide with your doctor | |
| Hearing · vision · memory concerns | raise at the visit, early |
Your 80s, 90s, and beyond
the plan becomes about how you're doing
What matters now: the yearly wellness visit, staying on your feet (falls prevention), your vaccines, and reviewing your medicines to drop the ones no longer helping. Screening decisions turn on how you're doing overall — your clinician helps weigh each one. This is often when a loved one holds the schedule; the caregiver note below is for them.
| Activity | When | Dates you did it |
|---|---|---|
| Yearly Wellness Visit | yearly | |
| Falls & balance · vision · hearing | yearly / as needed | |
| Vaccines (flu yearly · others up to date) | ongoing | |
| Medication review (what can we stop?) | each visit |
Vaccine record
the once-or-rarely shots, in one place
| Vaccine | Rhythm | Date(s) given |
|---|---|---|
| Tetanus (Td / Tdap) | every 10 yr | |
| Shingles (Shingrix, 2 doses) | once at 50+ | |
| Pneumonia (PCV) | usually once at 50+ | |
| RSV | single dose, 75+ (50–74 if risk) | |
| COVID-19 | per current guidance | |
| Flu | every year |
"The doctor told me to…"
the follow-ups that slip away in the parking lot — catch them the same day
| Date | What I'm supposed to do | By when | Done ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
Most of this costs you nothing
Under the Affordable Care Act, most health plans must cover the recommended preventive screenings and routine vaccines with no copay when you stay in-network — see the official lists for adults, women, and children. On Medicare, the Yearly Wellness Visit and most screenings are covered the same way. Forgetting is the usual reason these get skipped. That's the problem this page solves.
If you keep this for someone else
This template was built to be held by a loved one (a parent for a child, a daughter for an aging father) because the person who most needs the schedule is often the one least able to keep it. Keep one copy per person, and a one-line family roster: name → the next thing due. Bring the copy to every appointment; it briefs the clinician faster than memory, and the "doctor told me to…" table catches the follow-ups that otherwise vanish. Ask the clinic to list you as an authorized contact. Know that the patient decides what you're allowed to see; that permission is theirs to give. For an aging parent, the Medicare Yearly Wellness Visit is the anchor, and falls, vaccines, and memory are the rows that slip first.
Where this stands
This is not medical advice, and it does not replace your clinician — it's the memory between your visits. Every age and interval here is the national default for people at average risk; your doctor adjusts them for you, and when this page and your doctor disagree, your doctor wins. In an emergency call 911. In a mental-health crisis, call or text 988.
The recommendations are dated and sourced. Every row traces to a U.S. public-health authority in the public domain — the Preventive Services Task Force, the CDC, Medicare, and the National Institutes of Health — and the technical page lists each one with its grade and the date it was checked. Guidelines move: the mammogram age changed in 2024, the bone-density and pneumonia-vaccine rules in 2024–2025. This copy was verified July 13, 2026. Re-check the sourced page once a year.
We cite these organizations. We are not part of them, and they have not endorsed this. The screenings and shots here come from U.S. public-health authorities whose guidance is in the public domain — the Preventive Services Task Force, the CDC, Medicare, and the National Institutes of Health. We put their recommendations in our own words and link to the originals. We do not copy their materials. None of them is affiliated with KISOP or Care Delivery Inc, or has reviewed or endorsed this page.
In review 📋: Carmen's review and an independent clinician review are pending. The Spanish edition is on its way.