HOWARD — With fall, harvest and hunting season right around the corner, it’s a great time to make sure you’re up to date on annual wellness checks, screenings and vaccinations.

In a 2023 survey, the Cleveland Clinic discovered that only 3 out of 5 men get annual physicals, and over 40% of men only go to the doctor when they think they have a serious medical condition.

Preventive medicine is the practice of promoting preventive health care to improve patient well-being over the long term.

Your Horizon Health provider can give you tools and tips to help prevent injury and chronic disease. Early detection can make typical and more dire men’s health issues easier to treat.

A mandatory wellness check with Katlyn Rostyne, CNP, at Horizon Health Woonsocket, found two types of cancer Jay Schriever didn’t know he had. Treatment was successful and he is now back to full health.

“I’m pretty lucky,” Jay said “I’m positive of it. Most people don’t get quite that lucky. They got it at the right time.”

If you’re not feeling your best now is the time to deal with it. To stay as healthy as possible follow the tips below:

• Cut back on calories and move more if you’ve been trying to lose weight

• Eat healthy by getting enough protein and vegetables

• Make this the year you quit smoking

• Schedule a colon screening if you’re 45 or older

• Get your cholesterol and blood pressure checked

• Reduce your daily alcohol intake

• Find ways to reduce stress by talking to a behavioral health specialist or adding relaxing habits to your day.

• Schedule a wellness check with Horizon Health

No one likes to be sick, particularly when you need to be out in the field or chasing birds down a fence line. Fall is one of the most beautiful and active seasons of the year and a time when South Dakota truly shines. Make sure you’re fit to take advantage of all that fall has to offer.

Taking preventive steps now can help ensure good health for years to come.

Call your Horizon Health provider today to get ready for the fall season and help protect your health for all the fall seasons yet to come.