LEARN THE BASICS
FEBRUARY 2023
Stay healthy at every age and stage
The foundation of good health is the same no matter your age! Eat healthy, be active, go to the doctor or nurse for regular checkups, take care of your mental health, and don’t take unnecessary risks, like texting while driving. Whether you’re in your 20s, 30s, 40s or beyond, we’ve got you covered.
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Here’s what you should do every day to thrive no matter what age you are:
- Eat healthy — use the MyPlate Plan to get started.
- Get help to quit smoking or using tobacco products (or don’t start).
- Limit alcohol use to 1 drink or less per day, 6 or less per week.
- Understand the signs of substance misuse.
- Wear a helmet when riding a bike and wear protective gear for sports.
- Wear a seat belt in cars and don’t text while driving.
- Protect yourself from the sun by applying sun protection factor (SPF) sunscreen of 30 or more before you head outdoors.
- Get at least 30 min of physical activity a day for your physical well-being. Activities can include walking the dog, hiking with your family, gardening or even cleaning your house.
- Get between 7-9 hours of sleep each night so you’re not tired in the morning.
Learn what steps to take for good health at your age
Choose your age group:
Late teens, 20s & 30s | 40s & 50s | 60s, 70s & beyond
Stay healthy in your late teens, 20s & 30s
Here are some topics to help guide your discussion at your annual exam with your doctor.
- My family health history, especially of cancer, heart disease and diabetes
- My weight, diet and physical activity level
- Whether I use tobacco, alcohol or drugs
- Any violence in my life
- Depression and other mental health concerns
- Whether I plan to get pregnant in the next year or the right birth control for me
I’ll ask my doctor whether I’m at higher risk for or need tests, medicine or vaccines this year for:
- Blood pressure
- Breast cancer
- Cervical cancer (from age 21)
- Chickenpox
- Flu
- Hepatitis A, B or C
- HIV
- HPV
- Measles, mumps and rubella
- Meningitis
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough
- Tuberculosis
- Urinary incontinence
Stay healthy in your 40s & 50s
Here are some topics to help guide your discussion at your annual exam with your doctor.
- My family health history, especially of cancer, heart disease and diabetes
- Perimenopause/menopause symptoms
- My weight, diet and physical activity level
- Whether I use tobacco, alcohol or drugs
- Any violence in my life
- Depression and other mental health concerns
- Whether I plan to get pregnant in the next year or the right birth control for me
I’ll ask my doctor whether I’m at higher risk for or need tests, medicine or vaccines this year for:
- Blood pressure
- Breast cancer (including mammogram)
- Cervical cancer
- Cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Flu
- Hepatitis A, B or C
- HIV
- HPV
- Measles, mumps and rubella
- Meningitis
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough
- Tuberculosis
- Urinary incontinence
I’m in my 50s, so I’ll also ask my doctor about:
- Low-dose aspirin (for heart attack or stroke risk)
- Colorectal cancer
- Lung cancer (if 55 and older and smoking now or have quit within the last 15 years)
- Osteoporosis
- Shingles
Stay healthy in your 60s, 70s & beyond
Here are some topics to help guide your discussion at your annual exam with your doctor.
- My family health history, especially of cancer, heart disease and diabetes
- My weight, diet and physical activity level
- Whether I use tobacco, alcohol or drugs
- Any violence in my life
- Depression and other mental health concerns
- Who will make health care decisions for me if I’m unable to
I’ll ask my doctor whether I’m at higher risk for or need tests, medicine or vaccines this year for:
- Blood pressure
- Breast cancer (including mammogram)
- Cervical cancer
- Cholesterol
- Colorectal cancer
- Diabetes
- Flu
- Hepatitis A, B or C
- HIV
- Lung cancer (if you smoke now or have quit within the last 15 years)
- Measles, mumps and rubella (if born after 1956)
- Meningitis
- Osteoporosis
- Pneumonia
- Shingles
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough
- Tuberculosis
- Urinary incontinence
I’m in my 70s, so I’ll also ask my doctor about:
- Low-dose aspirin (for heart attack or stroke risk)
- Cervical cancer
- Measles, mumps and rubella (if born after 1956)
Here’s what Costco employees are saying about 2nd.MD:
The doctor was amazing and made sure I was aware of all my options before I made a decision. She mentioned a couple things my doctor didn’t even discuss with me which totally changed my mind about how I wanted to move forward. I am very grateful that I went through this process because it opened my eyes to things I wasn’t aware of!
2nd.MD offers expert second opinions regarding a health condition or surgery recommendation.
Source: Office on Women’s Health. Healthy living by age.
Resources for you
- Whether you’re planning a family, already pregnant or working through infertility, the Aetna Maternity Program offers you expert guidance and support, including a fertility advocate. To learn more, call 855-282-6344 (TTY: 711) or visit Aetna.com/Maternity.
- Resources For Living® (RFL®)* can support your mental health with informative health videos and brochures, as well as other resources. These include:
- myStrength interactive tools for help dealing with anxiety, depression, chronic pain and more
- Six free and confidential counseling sessions for you and every member of your household, with in-person, televideo or chat options
- RFL can also refer kids ages 6–11 and adolescents ages 12–17 to Brightline for virtual therapy to help with behavioral and emotional challenges. To learn more about RFL, call 833-721-2320 (TTY: 711) or visit Costcobenefits.com.
- The Live Healthy Team offers one-on-one support from health professionals who can help you understand how to lower your risk for breast cancer. The team includes registered nurses, dieticians, pharmacists and behavioral health clinicians. Connect with a Live Healthy Coach at 800-814-3543 (option 2).
- Need help finding an in-network provider like a primary care physician, gynecologist or obstetrician? Visit Costcobenefits.com and click “Find a Provider” under What If I.
- 2nd.MD offers the expert guidance and support you need when you’re facing a challenging medical or mental health condition. To learn more, visit the 2nd.MD website or call 833-579-2509.
- *Resources For Living is available to all employees and members of their household, including children up to age 26 living away from home.
- Whether you’re pregnant, thinking about having a baby or dealing with infertility, your Triple-S medical plan has you covered. To learn more, call 800-981-3241 or visit Salud.GrupoTriples.com.
- Resources For Living® (RFL®)* can support your mental health with informative health videos and brochures, as well as other resources. These include:
- myStrength interactive tools for help dealing with anxiety, depression, chronic pain and more
- Six free and confidential counseling sessions for you and every member of your household, with in-person, televideo or chat options
- To learn more about RFL, call 833-721-2320 (TTY: 711) or visit Costcobenefits.com.
- Need help finding an in-network provider like a primary care physician, gynecologist or obstetrician? Visit Costcobenefits.com and click “Find a Provider” under What If I.
- 2nd.MD offers the expert guidance and support you need when you’re facing a challenging medical or mental health condition.. To learn more, visit the 2nd.MD website or call 833-579-2509.
- *Resources For Living is available to all employees and members of their household, including children up to age 26 living away from home.
- Whether you’re pregnant, thinking about having a baby or dealing with infertility, your HMSA medical plan has you covered. To learn more, call 800-776-4672.
- Resources For Living® (RFL®)* can support your mental health with informative health videos and brochures, as well as other resources. These include:
- myStrength interactive tools for help dealing with anxiety, depression, chronic pain and more
- Six free and confidential counseling sessions for you and every member of your household, with in-person, televideo or chat options
- RFL can also refer kids ages 6–11 and adolescents ages 12–17 to Brightline for virtual therapy to help with behavioral and emotional challenges. To learn more about RFL, call 833-721-2320 (TTY: 711) or visit Costcobenefits.com.
- Need help finding an in-network provider like a primary care physician, gynecologist or obstetrician? Visit Costcobenefits.com and click “Find a Provider” under What If I.
- 2nd.MD offers the expert guidance and support you need when you’re facing a challenging medical or mental health condition. To learn more, visit the 2nd.MD website or call 833-579-2509.
- *Resources For Living is available to all employees and members of their household, including children up to age 26 living away from home.