As the new year begins, it’s a great time to prioritize your health—especially in rural Alaska, where access to specialists can be limited and preventive care is essential. Annual exams and physicals offer a proactive way to detect potential health issues early, manage chronic conditions, and stay on track with wellness goals.
At Cama’i Community Health Center, we’re encouraging families in Naknek, South Naknek, and King Salmon to start the year strong by scheduling routine checkups for every age and stage. These visits provide a chance to ask questions, discuss health concerns, and build a care plan that supports your well-being all year long.
Not sure what checkups you need? Our team can help you build a personalized care plan. Contact us today.
Why Preventive Checkups Matter in Rural Alaska
In urban areas, people often have access to a variety of providers, specialists, and urgent care clinics. But in rural communities like ours, we often rely on one health center to meet many needs. That’s why having a strong relationship with your primary care team at Cama’i is so important.
Annual checkups offer a chance to:
- Identify risk factors early
- Monitor ongoing conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure
- Stay current on vaccinations
- Discuss changes in mood, memory, or energy
- Catch up on screenings like mammograms, colonoscopies, or pap smears
- Get lab work done to check blood sugar, cholesterol, kidney function, and more
These visits also give you uninterrupted time to ask questions, review medications, and set health goals for the year ahead. And if you’ve been using the clinic mostly for urgent needs, now is the time to build a more complete picture of your overall health.
Children and Teens: Well Child Visits and Milestone Monitoring
For kids and teens, checkups are about more than just growth charts—they’re essential to tracking development, emotional health, and learning needs.
Pediatric visits may include:
- Vaccinations and booster shots
- Vision and hearing screenings
- Behavioral health check-ins
- Physicals for school or sports
- Nutrition and sleep discussions
- Puberty and reproductive health education
These visits are also a great time to establish trust between your child and their provider. When young people feel comfortable with their care team, they’re more likely to speak up about things like anxiety, bullying, or physical changes they don’t understand.
Adults: Staying Ahead of Health Risks
No matter your age, annual checkups are essential for detecting early signs of illness, managing chronic conditions, and supporting long-term wellness. At Cama’i, our providers offer personalized care plans and convenient options like telehealth to make preventive care accessible across Southeast Alaska.
For adults, routine checkups might include:
- Blood pressure screening
- Cholesterol and blood sugar tests
- Skin checks
- Breast exams and pap smears (for women)
- Prostate screening (for men)
- Colon cancer screening starting at age 45
- Mental health evaluations and stress management
- Diet and nutrition counseling.
- Comprehensive evaluation of overall health and risk factors.
If you’ve delayed care during the pandemic or due to weather or work demands, now is a great time to get back on track. Don’t wait for symptoms—prevention saves lives.
Elders: Aging Strong with Support
As we age, annual checkups become essential for preventing falls, monitoring memory and medication needs, and establishing health baselines. At Cama’i, our providers deliver respectful, person-centered care that supports independence and addresses each elder’s unique health concerns.
Wellness care for elders may include:
- Fall risk assessment
- Cognitive screenings
- Bone density testing
- Medication reviews
- Hearing evaluations
- Diabetes and heart disease monitoring
- Support for caregivers and families
- Access to resources and support services for elders and caregivers
Many experts agree that preventive care for older adults works best when it’s personalized—taking into account overall health, daily functioning, and what matters most to the patient, rather than relying on age alone.
We also encourage advance care planning, helping elders and their loved ones make thoughtful choices about future care and medical decisions.
Don’t Forget Mental Health Checkups
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health, and it deserves regular attention.
At Cama’i, behavioral health screenings are available during annual visits or upon request. Whether you’re dealing with stress, anxiety, grief, or just feeling off, we’re here to help.
We also provide:
- Referrals to therapists or telepsychiatry providers
- Substance use counseling and support
- Stress reduction tools and coping strategies
- Group support and community outreach programs
Many mental health concerns can be addressed quickly when caught early. Mental health checkups provide an opportunity to address concerns early and develop a personalized plan for support and treatment. If you’re struggling, talking to a provider is the first step toward relief and recovery.
What Should You Schedule This Year?
Here’s a simple breakdown of recommended preventive care by age group:
Annual exams, annual physicals, and regular evaluations are recommended for all age groups to stay proactive about health. Being proactive with preventive care not only helps detect potential health issues early but is also typically more cost-effective than treating advanced illnesses, resulting in significant long-term savings.
Children & Teens
- Annual well-child visit
- Immunizations
- Vision and hearing tests
- Behavioral screening
- Sports or school physicals
Adults (20–40)
- Annual checkup
- Annual physical and comprehensive evaluation
- Blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose tests
- Pap smear (every 3 years)
- HPV vaccine if not completed
- Mental health screening
Adults (40–65)
- All of the above, plus:
- Annual exams and ongoing evaluation of chronic conditions.
- Mammogram (age 40+)
- Colon cancer screening (age 45+)
- Diabetes risk assessment
- Prostate screening (for men)
Adults 65+
- Bone density test
- Cognitive and memory screening
- Fall risk and mobility assessment
- Review of all medications
- Advance directive review
- Annual physical and regular evaluation of health status
This list isn’t one-size-fits-all—your provider will customize recommendations based on your health history, family background, and lifestyle.
Haven’t Been In for a While? That’s Okay.
Many people delay care due to busy schedules, fear of bad news, or difficulty traveling in winter. We want you to know:
- There’s no judgment.
- You don’t have to explain why it’s been a while.
- We’re just glad you’re coming in now.
Returning for your annual health checkups is a positive step toward maintaining good health.
Cama’i offers a welcoming, nonjudgmental environment where your questions and concerns are taken seriously—whether it’s your first visit in months or years.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
Most checkups include:
- Review of your medical history
- Current symptoms and concerns
- Vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, weight, etc.)
- On-site labs and lab testing for timely results
- Lab work as needed
- Screenings based on age, gender, and risk factors
- Time for questions and discussion
You’ll leave your appointment with clear next steps, whether that’s scheduling a follow-up, adjusting medication, or simply continuing your healthy routine.
Have Questions About Insurance or Payment?
Don’t let cost stop you from getting care. Cama’i offers:
- Sliding scale fees based on income
- Help applying for Medicaid or other programs
- Clear explanations of what services cost and why
You can also use your annual insurance benefits to cover preventive visits—most plans, including Medicaid, cover annual wellness checkups at no cost to you. Most preventive services remain covered with no out-of-pocket costs by in-network providers, even as marketplace plan costs increase in 2026.
Your Health Journey Starts Here
You deserve a health plan that goes beyond urgent care. Whether you’re navigating diabetes, staying on top of screenings, or simply checking in after a busy year, Cama’i Community Health Center is here to support you.
Our practice is dedicated to providing comprehensive, patient-centered care to the Bristol Bay community, ensuring continuity and a personalized approach for every patient.
We’re proud to offer high-quality, compassionate care, right here in Bristol Bay. Let’s make 2026 the year you prioritize your health and take meaningful steps toward wellness.
Call Cama’i to schedule your checkup and take the first step toward better health in 2026.
