Screenings at 18
Eighteen is where most adult screening ranges begin: blood pressure, a one-time hepatitis C test, and questions about depression, anxiety, alcohol and drug use. HIV screening already applies from 15. Cervical screening waits until 21. (USPSTF, 2021) (USPSTF, 2020) (USPSTF, 2023) (USPSTF, 2019) (USPSTF, 2018)
Short answer: health checks at 18
- Blood pressure every 3 to 5 years if your readings are normal and you have no added risk; every year if you are at higher risk. (USPSTF, 2021)
- Infections: hepatitis C once (18 to 79) and HIV at least once (15 to 65); syphilis and hepatitis B if you are at increased risk. (USPSTF, 2020) (USPSTF, 2019) (USPSTF, 2022) (USPSTF, 2020)
- Sexually active women 24 and younger: chlamydia and gonorrhea screening. (USPSTF, 2021)
- Screening questions for depression, anxiety, unhealthy alcohol use and drug use, at a regular visit. (USPSTF, 2023) (USPSTF, 2023) (USPSTF, 2018) (USPSTF, 2020)
- Not yet: cervical screening starts at 21; the USPSTF advises against it before 21 (grade D). (USPSTF, 2018)
What starts at 18
- Blood pressure: from 18, every 3 to 5 years if readings are normal and there is no added risk; every year if at increased risk. (USPSTF, 2021)
- Hepatitis C: once for adults 18 to 79, if not tested before. (USPSTF, 2020)
- HIV: at least once for everyone 15 to 65, more often for people at increased risk. (USPSTF, 2019)
- Depression and anxiety: screening for adults, with no set interval. (USPSTF, 2023)
- Unhealthy alcohol use: brief questions for adults 18 and older. (USPSTF, 2018)
- Unhealthy drug use: questions for adults 18 and older, where diagnosis and care can be offered or referred. (USPSTF, 2020)
- Chlamydia and gonorrhea: screening for sexually active women 24 and younger. (USPSTF, 2021)
- Cervical cancer: screening starts at 21, not before (grade D under 21). (USPSTF, 2018)
Blood tests at 18
Blood tests behind USPSTF advice at 18, each for the people the line names:
- Hepatitis C: once for adults 18 to 79, if never tested. (USPSTF, 2020)
- HIV: at least once from 15 to 65, more often at increased risk. (USPSTF, 2019)
- Syphilis and hepatitis B: for people at increased risk. (USPSTF, 2022) (USPSTF, 2020)
- Blood sugar: routine screening starts at 35 for adults with overweight or obesity; clinicians should consider earlier screening for some people, such as those with a family history of diabetes. (USPSTF, 2021)
- Cholesterol: the USPSTF statin advice, which uses a cholesterol test, starts at 40. (USPSTF, 2022)
Not routine screening tests:
- A complete blood count (CBC) and a basic or comprehensive metabolic panel are not on the USPSTF list of recommended (A and B) services for adults without symptoms. (USPSTF, A and B list)
- Thyroid tests: the USPSTF found the evidence insufficient to recommend for or against screening adults without symptoms. (USPSTF, 2015)
- Vitamin D: the same, evidence insufficient for adults without symptoms. (USPSTF, 2021)
Your doctor may still order any of these for symptoms, medicines or a known condition. Ranges for the numbers: know your numbers. All ages in one table: blood tests by age.
Prevention at 18: medicines and habits
Not screenings, but USPSTF-graded steps that can apply at 18. Each applies only to some people; the line says who.
- Folic acid before pregnancy: Anyone who could become pregnant: a daily supplement with 0.4 to 0.8 mg (400 to 800 mcg) of folic acid (grade A). (USPSTF, 2023)
- PrEP to prevent HIV: Teens and adults at increased risk of HIV, weighing at least 35 kg (77 lb): PrEP medicine to lower the risk (grade A). (USPSTF, 2023)
- Quitting smoking: Adults: counseling plus FDA-approved medicines (grade A). Pregnancy: counseling (A); medicines and e-cigarettes, evidence insufficient (I). Free help: 1-800-QUIT-NOW. (USPSTF, 2021) (Smokefree.gov)
- Healthy eating and activity counseling: Adults with heart risk factors: counseling on diet and activity (grade B). Without risk factors: case by case (grade C). (USPSTF, 2020) (USPSTF, 2022)
- Weight-loss programs, BMI 30+: Adults with a BMI of 30 or higher: offer or refer to an intensive weight-loss program built on diet and activity (grade B). (USPSTF, 2018)
Before the visit: questions to ask your doctor about screening at 18, ready to print.
Where 18 sits on the chart
Average-risk adults. Age ranges from the USPSTF. The line marks age 18.
Swipe sideways to see ages 18 to 85
- Blood pressure : ages 18 and older
- Cervical cancer (women) : ages 21 to 65
- Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, if a risk factor applies : ages 35 to 70, if you have overweight or obesity
- Breast cancer (women) : ages 40 to 74
- Colorectal cancer : ages 45 to 75
- Lung cancer, if a risk factor applies : ages 50 to 80, if you have a 20 pack-year history and smoke now or quit within 15 years
- Osteoporosis (women) : ages 65 and older
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm (men), if a risk factor applies : ages 65 to 75, if you have ever smoked
- Hepatitis C : ages 18 to 79
- HIV : ages 18 to 65
- Depression : ages 18 and older
- Anxiety : ages 18 to 64
- Unhealthy alcohol use : ages 18 and older
- Unhealthy drug use : ages 18 and older
- BRCA risk assessment (women), if a risk factor applies : ages 18 and older, if you or your family have had breast, ovarian, tubal or peritoneal cancer
- Chlamydia and gonorrhea (women), if a risk factor applies : ages 18 to 24, if you are sexually active
- Syphilis, if a risk factor applies : ages 18 and older, if you are at increased risk (for example HIV or another STI, men who have sex with men, drug use, or past incarceration)
- Hepatitis B, if a risk factor applies : ages 18 and older, if you are at increased risk (for example born where hepatitis B is common, HIV, injection drug use, or a household or sex partner with hepatitis B)
- Latent tuberculosis, if a risk factor applies : ages 18 and older, if you are at increased risk (born in or lived in a country where TB is common, or lived in a shelter or correctional facility)
Bars show the age range each recommendation covers, not how often to test. Open-ended ranges run to the edge of the chart. Tap a bar for the interval, test options and the USPSTF source.
Women at 18
| Screening | Ages | How often | Grade | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood pressure | 18 and older | Every 3 to 5 years if normal and not at increased risk; yearly if at risk | A | USPSTF, 2021 |
| Osteoporosis (before 65) Only if you are past menopause and at increased risk | 18 to 64 | Not set by the USPSTF; evidence on repeat intervals is limited | B | USPSTF, 2025 |
| Hepatitis C | 18 to 79 | Once for most adults; repeat if risk continues (for example, injection drug use) | B | USPSTF, 2020 |
| HIV | 18 to 65 | At least once; repeat testing is reasonable for people at increased risk | A | USPSTF, 2019 |
| Depression | 18 and older | No set interval; screen if not screened before, then use clinical judgment | B | USPSTF, 2023 |
| Anxiety | 18 to 64 | No set interval | B | USPSTF, 2023 |
| Unhealthy alcohol use | 18 and older | No set interval | B | USPSTF, 2018 |
| Unhealthy drug use | 18 and older | No set interval | B | USPSTF, 2020 |
| BRCA risk assessment Only if you or your family have had breast, ovarian, tubal or peritoneal cancer | 18 and older | Once, with genetic counseling if the risk tool is positive | B | USPSTF, 2019 |
Men at 18
| Screening | Ages | How often | Grade | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood pressure | 18 and older | Every 3 to 5 years if normal and not at increased risk; yearly if at risk | A | USPSTF, 2021 |
| Hepatitis C | 18 to 79 | Once for most adults; repeat if risk continues (for example, injection drug use) | B | USPSTF, 2020 |
| HIV | 18 to 65 | At least once; repeat testing is reasonable for people at increased risk | A | USPSTF, 2019 |
| Depression | 18 and older | No set interval; screen if not screened before, then use clinical judgment | B | USPSTF, 2023 |
| Anxiety | 18 to 64 | No set interval | B | USPSTF, 2023 |
| Unhealthy alcohol use | 18 and older | No set interval | B | USPSTF, 2018 |
| Unhealthy drug use | 18 and older | No set interval | B | USPSTF, 2020 |
Rows marked "Only if" apply when that risk factor is true for you. Other ages: 21, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, or the full chart (printable PDF). How often each test repeats: screening intervals chart. Cost: which screenings insurance and Medicare cover.
Questions people ask
What health checks should I have at 18?
Under the USPSTF: a blood pressure check every 3 to 5 years if normal (yearly at higher risk), screening questions for depression, anxiety, alcohol and drug use, and hepatitis C and HIV tests at least once. Sexually active women 24 and younger are screened for chlamydia and gonorrhea. Cervical screening waits until 21. (USPSTF, 2021) (USPSTF, 2023) (USPSTF, 2023) (USPSTF, 2018) (USPSTF, 2020) (USPSTF, 2020) (USPSTF, 2019) (USPSTF, 2021) (USPSTF, 2018)
What blood tests should I get at 18?
Hepatitis C once and HIV at least once if never tested; syphilis and hepatitis B if you are at increased risk. Routine blood sugar screening starts at 35 if you have overweight, sooner for some people, and the statin advice that uses a cholesterol test starts at 40. A CBC, metabolic panel, thyroid or vitamin D test is not a routine USPSTF screening; your doctor may order one for a reason. (USPSTF, 2020) (USPSTF, 2019) (USPSTF, 2022) (USPSTF, 2020) (USPSTF, 2021) (USPSTF, 2022) (USPSTF, 2015) (USPSTF, 2021)