Wellness Exam
A wellness exam (also called a preventive visit or annual physical) is a routine check?up focused on preventing illness, not treating symptoms. It includes reviewing your medical history, checking vital signs, screening for chronic diseases, updating vaccines, and discussing lifestyle habits.
Many Hmong adults wait until symptoms are severe, diseases are often diagnosed late, when treatment is harder and complications are more serious.
Why Wellness Exams Matter for the Hmong Community
- Higher rates of chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, gout, and stroke — many of which develop silently.
- Language and cultural barriers that make it harder to access preventive care or understand medical instructions.
- Lower rates of routine check?ups, often due to work schedules, lack of transportation, or the belief that you only see a doctor when you’re sick.
- Historical trauma and mistrust of medical systems, which can delay care.
