There’s a certain Latin saying that goes, “It is better and more useful to meet a problem in time than to seek a remedy after the damage is done.” If you’re not familiar with it, don’t fret. You’re probably more familiar with the short and sweet version of it: “Prevention is better than cure”, said by a certain Dutch philosopher. Well, however old the saying may be, it’s certainly timeless.

Prevention is the cornerstone of good health, and health screenings play a big part in that by identifying potential health concerns early on. Pharmacists play a vital role in health screenings that may commonly be observed in communities. We’ll dive into the importance of health screenings, the different types of screenings, and the role that pharmacists play in these scenarios.

Why Health Screenings Matter

As commonly said in healthcare, “the earlier the detection, the better the health outcome.”1 Partaking in health screenings is a proactive step towards taking care of oneself. The primary advantage lies in the ability to catch potential health concerns before they become problematic. By identifying risk factors and early signs of conditions, individuals take matters into their own hands by making such decisions and taking action to improve their health.

Many chronic diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and high cholesterol, can develop gradually without obvious symptoms. Health screenings help uncover these conditions in their early stages, giving patients the opportunity to make lifestyle changes, begin treatment sooner, and potentially avoid serious complications. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chronic diseases are among the leading causes of illness, disability, and death in the United States, highlighting the importance of preventive care and early intervention.⁴

Preventive Care and Insurance Coverage

One barrier that has historically prevented some patients from receiving routine health screenings is cost. Fortunately, many preventive services are now covered by health insurance plans with little or no out-of-pocket expense.

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), most private health insurance plans are required to cover a variety of evidence-based preventive services without copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles when provided by an in-network healthcare provider. These services commonly include blood pressure screenings, diabetes screenings, cholesterol screenings, depression screenings, certain cancer screenings, immunizations, and sexually transmitted infection (STI) screenings.⁵⁻⁷

Patients should still verify their specific coverage with their insurance provider, as benefits may vary depending on plan type and network participation.

Types of Health Screenings

There are various health screenings available to patients that are offered by pharmacies. The most common screenings include blood glucose testing, blood pressure monitoring, and total cholesterol checks. Other health screenings that are not usually offered at pharmacies but still utilize involvement from pharmacists are for mental health conditions, osteoporosis, opioid use disorders, and sexually transmitted disease (STDs).^2,3 As community pharmacy services continue to expand, pharmacists are increasingly involved in additional preventive care initiatives, including cardiovascular risk assessments, smoking cessation programs, weight management services, and wellness education. These services help support broader public health efforts aimed at reducing the burden of chronic disease and improving long-term patient outcomes.⁴

Ask The Pharmacist for Help

Pharmacists are well equipped to guide patients through the entire health screening process. They are allies when it comes to disease prevention, especially for the most common health conditions of diabetes and blood pressure. Not only are pharmacists able to help patients understand what their results mean, but they are able to recommend certain lifestyle changes and even provide counsel on necessary follow-up steps for further care. Pharmacists are trusted healthcare professionals and easily accessible to patients when it comes to who to ask regarding their medications AND when it comes to their health as a result of health screenings.³

The Economic Value of Prevention

Preventive care benefits not only individual patients but also the healthcare system as a whole. The CDC reports that chronic diseases account for a substantial portion of healthcare spending in the United States. Early detection and management of chronic conditions can help reduce emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and complications associated with untreated disease.⁴

National public health initiatives such as Healthy People 2030 continue to emphasize preventive care because screenings, vaccinations, and routine wellness services help reduce the risk of disease, disability, and premature death.⁸ By participating in preventive health services and acting on screening results, patients may improve their long-term health while potentially avoiding more complex and costly treatments later.⁸

The Bottom Line

Through early detection, education, and collaboration with patients and healthcare professionals, pharmacists can help manage and prevent health issues for all patients. Patients themselves can take matters into their own hands and improve their own health by taking the necessary steps for management such as partaking in health screenings. Moreover, pharmacies can continue to be known not only as the place to get medications from, but also the place to seek out for taking steps toward disease prevention. Being proactive will pay off in the long run, so don’t hesitate to get that screening and talk to the pharmacist. Your future self may thank you one day.

Original Author: Midrara Kashmari

Editorial Update (June 2026): Elizabeth Rodriguez

RxPharmacist Team

References:

1. Givler DN, Givler A. Health Screening. Nih.gov. Published 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK436014/.
2. Get Screened – MyHealthfinder | health.gov. health.gov. https://health.gov/myhealthfinder/doctor-visits/screening-tests/get-screened.
3. Jennifer Gershman P. Pharmacists Play Vital Role in Health Screenings. wwwpharmacytimescom. 2022;88. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/pharmacists-play-vital-role-in-health-screenings.
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health and Economic Benefits of Chronic Disease Interventions.Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/priorities/index.html
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preventive Services Coverage. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/high-quality-care/hcp/resources/preventive-services-coverage.html
6. HealthCare.gov. Preventive Health Services. Available at: https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage/preventive-care-benefits/
7. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (ASPE). Access to Preventive Services Without Cost-Sharing Under the Affordable Care Act. Available at: https://aspe.hhs.gov
8. Healthy People 2030. Preventive Care. Available at: https://odphp.health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/preventive-care