Wellness visits can catch health issues early

It’s no secret that mental and physical health go together. A medical disorder can lead to a mental health issue, and a mental health issue can increase risk of developing a medical condition. 

• Studies have shown that 50% of people with a mental health diagnosis also had a chronic medical condition (source: RTI Health Advance, July 2022)

What you can do

To help detect issues early, adolescents and adults should have a wellness visit with their primary care physician (PCP) every year. You can help your patients get the care they need by encouraging them to: 

•  Identify a primary care provider
• Schedule and keep an annual wellness appointment, as well as any follow-up appointment(s) their provider may recommend

Your patients also benefit when you collaborate with their PCP to understand their medical conditions and help manage any related mental health or substance use disorder issues.

 Helpful resources

There are many resources on Provider Express that can help you collaborate with PCPs and support your patient’s overall health: