Holiday Health Checklist — Are You Ready to “Sleigh” This Season?

We’re about to hit the end of the year rush. The holidays are coming, and with it, events and parties — plus all the shopping! And many people will be traveling, which has its own complications and worries.

But what about you? Before you check up on all your other demands, you should take care of yourself with a year-end check-up. You know what the flight attendants say — put your mask on first before helping others. That’s good advice because you can’t help others if you’re not healthy. So here’s a Ryan Health Pre-Holiday Tune-Up: a short list of health items to take care of so you can enjoy the holiday season in full swing:

Vaccinations

Our providers at Ryan Health say it all the time — get your shots! But this really is the best way to ensure you stave off the flu or Covid, which can have you laid up for a week or more. You can schedule all of these shots with our Online Scheduler or by calling 212-749-1820.

For Everyone:

• Flu Shot: The influenza virus changes every year, so every year there’s a new vaccine. Flu season is just getting started, so get protected before the flu is everywhere this winter.

• COVID Shot: COVID-19 is still with us and likely will be for years to come. Like the flu virus, COVID-19 changes every year, so there is a new vaccine every year, too. The COVID-19 vaccine can prevent you from contracting COVID-19 or minimize your symptoms if you do have it.

As Needed:

• Pneumonia Shot: People 50 years old and older should get the pneumonia vaccine. That’s a new recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The virus that causes pneumonia can also cause meningitis and bloodstream infections.

• RSV Shot: People 75 years old and older should get a one-time RSV shot. Adults ages 60 to 74 who are at increased risk should also get a shot. Those at increased risk have chronic heart or lung disease, a weakened immune system, or certain other chronic medical conditions.

Annual Check-Up

Have you had your annual check-up this year? Now’s a good time to schedule it if you haven’t. This preventive visit with your provider helps evaluate your overall health, and detect and prevent diseases early. The visit will cover your medical history, any current symptoms you’re experiencing, a check of your heart and blood pressure, and possibly other bloodwork or urine sample. This is a simple way to keep on track. Plus, you can also get your annual vaccinations!

Screenings

• Colorectal Cancer: Colon cancer, also called colorectal cancer, is the second leading cause of cancer death in New York City, after lung cancer, according to NYC Health. The US Preventative Services Task Force recommends colon cancer screenings starting at age 45, which the American Cancer Society supports. Check out Colorectal Cancer Screening Could Save Your Life.

• Breast Cancer: New guidelines from the US Preventative Services Task Force recommend that women ages 40 to 74 who are at average risk of breast cancer get a mammogram every other year. Breast cancer screenings can help find breast cancer early when it is easier to treat. Check out Understand the Disparity: Why Are Breast Cancer Death Rates Higher for Black Women?

Discuss Your Family Health History Over the Holidays

You can inherit eye color, hair color, and your general appearance from your family. You can also inherit health issues. Knowing your family’s health history can help your doctor better diagnose potential health issues so you stay healthy. When you’re with your family this holiday season set aside some time to discuss your family health history.

The CDC has compiled a comprehensive website that outlines a range of topics relating to family health history. The US Surgeon General has created My Family Health Portrait. It’s a simple template that lets you fill in family members and various health conditions they’ve had. The template lets you:

• Enter your family health history
• Learn about your risk for conditions that run in families
• Update your history over time
• Print it to share with your doctor

Check Out Our “Here For You” Platform

Our Here For You search engine lets you search for free or reduced cost services based on your zip code. Need help paying for groceries? Looking for subsidized child care? In need of school clothes for your kids at no cost? These resources can be found on Here For You, which connects you with verified social care organizations. When you visit the site, type in your zip code and search for the specific service you need. It’s that simple. You know best what you and your family need to live and feel better. Ryan Health wants you to have access to everything available to make that happen.

Take a moment for yourself before the most stressful period of the year begins with a Pre-Holiday Tune-Up. Let Ryan Health keep you moving through this holiday season!

Book your Pre-Holiday Tune-Up before life gets crazy! Use our Online Scheduler or call 212-749-1820.