New Year’s resolutions may be long gone, but doctors are encouraging us all to make an effort and be proactive. GPs insist regular health check-ups could literally save your life.
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00:00 When she turned 47, Robin Gutierrez felt it was time for a visit to her doctor.
00:06 Okay, let's see what we've got.
00:08 I just went for a routine check-up and part of that was that they discovered that I had an atrial septal defect in my heart, which was something I was born with.
00:18 She had months of medical appointments and surgery, but it was one comment from her specialist that stuck with her.
00:24 I said, "Oh, really nice to meet you, doctor." And he just said, "Well, Robin, I would have met you in 20 years' time with heart failure, so I'm glad that I've met you now and hopefully I won't see you ever again."
00:34 Early detection absolutely saves lives. It makes any sort of medical intervention much more simple and easy.
00:41 And of course, that helps the overall health system as well as the individual patient.
00:45 Preventative health measures start before we're even born, with pregnant women given a vaccine for whooping cough to protect their unborn baby.
00:52 Babies are handed a developmental book at hospital, and four-year-olds are encouraged to have a healthy kids check before they hit school.
00:59 At every check, doctors focus on healthy diet, physical activity and mental health.
01:04 From your 20s, regular skin checks for higher risk people are recommended, cervical screening starts at 25, and sexual and reproductive health checks should also be considered.
01:14 At 40, regular blood pressure and cholesterol testing is encouraged, and there is a 45-year-old health check.
01:20 When you hit 50, you'll be mailed a bowel cancer screening kit, and women should have mammograms every two years.
01:27 By 65, the focus is ensuring that flu, pneumonia, COVID and shingles vaccinations are all up to date.
01:34 And at 75, bone density and cognitive function is often tested, and you'll visit the doctor for a fitness-to-drive check.
01:42 These checks are all part of a wider plan to keep Australians living healthy longer.
01:46 The National Preventative Health Strategy hopes that we will all be able to have an additional two years of life in full health by 2030.
01:54 These days, Robyn Gutierrez begins every new year with a check-up, whether she feels sick or not.
01:59 I share this story with all my girlfriends. I just feel that it's just part and parcel of that maintenance that I do, like I check my car once a year and that sort of thing, so yeah, that's what I do.
02:12 An appointment that could save your life.
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