When Was Your Last Health Check?

A note on language: The terms men and women are used in this article for medical and clinical clarity, particularly where certain health checks relate to biological sex, anatomy, hormones or reproductive health. This wording is not intended to exclude or offend people who do not identify with these terms. Readers should speak with their GP about the checks most appropriate for their body, health history and individual circumstances.

Regular health checks are one of the simplest ways to stay informed, detect risks early and make better decisions about your wellbeing.

Many common conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease and some cancers, can develop quietly. You may feel well, even when important changes are happening in the body. A routine check with your GP can help identify these changes before they become more serious.

Health checks are also a chance to talk about the things people often put off, such as sleep, stress, mental health, alcohol use, family history, weight changes, pain, sexual health, menopause symptoms, prostate health or medication side effects.

The aim is simple: know your risks, know your numbers and take action early.

What happens during a health check?

A health check is usually completed with a GP or another qualified health professional. It may include:

·         Blood pressure

·         Weight and waist measurement

·         Cholesterol and blood glucose testing

·         Kidney function checks

·         Skin checks

·         Cancer screening advice

·         Vaccination review

·         Mental health check in

·         Medication review

·         Lifestyle discussion

·         Referral for further tests if needed

The checks you need will depend on your age, sex, family history, lifestyle, symptoms and existing health conditions.

The key benefits

Early detection

Health checks can help detect disease at an earlier stage, when treatment may be more effective and less complex.

Better prevention

They can identify risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, excess alcohol use, inactivity or rising blood sugar.

A clearer health picture

Tracking results over time makes it easier to spot changes and understand your personal health trends.

Practical support

A GP can help you set realistic next steps, from improving sleep and nutrition to managing stress, increasing movement or following up on screening.

Health checks by life stage

Children and teenagers

For children, health checks focus on growth, development, immunisation, hearing, vision, sleep, behaviour and emotional wellbeing.

During adolescence, health conversations may also include mental health, body image, nutrition, physical activity, sexual health, substance use, vaping, screen time and sleep.

20s and 30s

This is a good time to build a health baseline and establish regular preventive habits.

Consider discussing:

·         Blood pressure

·         Skin checks

·         Dental and eye checks

·         Sexual health testing where relevant

·         Mental health and stress

·         Alcohol, smoking or vaping

·         Sleep and physical activity

·         Family history

·         Cervical screening from age 25

·         Pregnancy planning and preconception health

People with a strong family history of heart disease, diabetes, melanoma, bowel cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer or prostate cancer should speak with their GP earlier.

40s

The 40s are an important decade for identifying risk.

Consider discussing:

·         Heart health

·         Blood pressure

·         Cholesterol

·         Diabetes risk

·         Kidney health

·         Weight and waist measurement

·         Skin cancer checks

·         Mental wellbeing

·         Bowel cancer screening from age 45

·         Breast screening options from age 40

·         Family history

Eligible people aged 40 to 49 at high risk of type 2 diabetes may be able to access a Medicare rebated diabetes risk evaluation. People aged 45 to 49 who are at risk of chronic disease may also be eligible for a one off Medicare rebated health assessment.

50s and 60s

Health checks become even more important as the risk of chronic disease increases.

Consider discussing:

·         Cardiovascular risk

·         Blood pressure and cholesterol

·         Diabetes and kidney health

·         Bowel cancer screening

·         Breast screening

·         Cervical screening

·         Prostate health

·         Skin checks

·         Bone health

·         Eye and hearing checks

·         Vaccinations

·         Medication review

·         Sleep, mood and energy levels

Eligible Australians aged 45 to 74 can complete a free bowel screening test every two years. Women aged 50 to 74 are actively invited for free mammograms through BreastScreen Australia. Cervical screening continues until age 74 for women and people with a cervix, unless advised otherwise.

70s and beyond

Later life health checks focus on maintaining independence, mobility, confidence and quality of life.

Consider discussing:

·         Heart health

·         Diabetes and kidney health

·         Vision and hearing

·         Falls risk

·         Balance and mobility

·         Bone density

·         Nutrition

·         Memory and cognition

·         Mood and social connection

·         Continence

·         Medication safety

·         Home support needs

Australians aged 75 and over may be eligible for an annual Medicare rebated older person’s health assessment.

Health checks for men

Men are often less likely to seek preventive care, which can mean health risks are picked up later.

Important checks to consider include:

·         Blood pressure

·         Cholesterol

·         Diabetes risk

·         Kidney health

·         Bowel screening

·         Skin checks

·         Mental health

·         Alcohol intake

·         Smoking or vaping

·         Sexual health

·         Testicular concerns

·         Prostate health

Prostate cancer testing should be discussed with a GP. Australia does not have a national population screening program for prostate cancer, and PSA testing has both benefits and limitations. Your GP can help you make an informed decision based on your age, symptoms, family history and personal risk.

Men should seek medical advice if they notice urinary changes, blood in urine or semen, pelvic pain, erectile concerns, testicular changes, unexplained weight loss or persistent fatigue.

Health checks for women

Women’s health checks change across the life course, from reproductive health through to menopause, bone health and cancer screening.

Important checks to consider include:

·         Blood pressure

·         Cholesterol

·         Diabetes risk

·         Kidney health

·         Bowel screening

·         Skin checks

·         Breast screening

·         Cervical screening

·         Sexual health

·         Contraception

·         Pregnancy planning

·         Menstrual health

·         Menopause symptoms

·         Bone health

·         Mental health

Cervical screening is recommended from age 25 to 74 for women and people with a cervix. BreastScreen Australia actively invites women aged 50 to 74 for a free mammogram every two years, while women aged 40 and over can also access free screening.

Menopause and perimenopause are also important times to check in with a GP. Symptoms may include hot flushes, night sweats, sleep disturbance, mood changes, brain fog, joint pain, vaginal dryness, urinary symptoms and changes in weight or body composition. Medicare now includes specific menopause and perimenopause health assessment items for eligible patients.

Bone health also deserves attention, particularly after menopause. Women with risk factors such as early menopause, previous fracture, low body weight, smoking, high alcohol intake, long term corticosteroid use or family history of osteoporosis should ask their GP about bone density testing.

Medicare rebated health checks in Australia

Australia offers a range of Medicare rebated health assessments for eligible people. These may include:

·         General time based health assessments

·         Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health assessments

·         Heart health assessments

·         Type 2 diabetes risk evaluations for eligible people aged 40 to 49

·         Health assessments for people aged 45 to 49 at risk of chronic disease

·         Annual health assessments for people aged 75 and over

·         Menopause and perimenopause health assessments

·         Health assessments for people with intellectual disability

·         Refugee and humanitarian entrant health assessments

·         Former Australian Defence Force member health assessments

·         Residential aged care health assessments

A Medicare rebate does not always mean there will be no out of pocket cost. Some clinics bulk bill, while others charge a gap, so it is worth asking when booking.

Are people keeping up?

Screening participation shows there is still room for improvement.

In Australia, BreastScreen participation for women aged 50 to 74 was 52% in 2023 to 2024. Cervical screening participation was around 78% over the 5.5 years from January 2020 to June 2025. Bowel screening participation remains lower, with 42% of invited people participating in the most recent national reporting period.

Awareness is also a challenge. A Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia survey found that 42% of Australians were not aware of the health checks recommended for their age group, while 32% said they were not up to date.

Globally, many people are also living with undetected risk. The World Health Organization estimates that 1.4 billion adults aged 30 to 79 were living with hypertension in 2024, and 44% were unaware they had the condition.

Make it part of your routine

A health check does not need to be complicated. Start by booking a GP appointment and asking what checks are recommended for your age, sex, family history and risk factors.

Keep a record of your results. Ask when each test should be repeated. Set reminders for screening programs. Encourage family members to stay up to date too, especially if certain conditions run in your family.

Regular health checks give you information, options and the chance to act early.

Book the check. Know your numbers. Ask the questions. Follow up on results.

General information only. This article is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Speak with your GP or another qualified health professional about which checks are appropriate for you.

Chris Rabba; Oct 26