Stay on Top of Your Family’s Health in 2025
You want the best for your family, especially when it comes to their health. In the new year, keep your family’s health front and center by partnering with your primary care providers (PCPs).
“PCPs are always focused on promoting wellness and preventing illness and injury,” says Dr. J. Christopher McCartie, pediatrician at Weill Cornell Medicine. “Keeping up with routine care can help avoid the need for emergency care.”
Your Primary Health Help
PCPs are pediatricians, family physicians, internal medicine physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Whichever you choose, you’ll turn to your PCP to meet most of your primary care needs.
While PCPs help when you’re sick, they’re also great resources to protect your health. With an annual check-up, you get an overview of your health. If you need additional care, your PCP can refer you to a specialist.
During yearly well visits, expect the following:
- Health discussion. Your PCP asks about health symptoms affecting your daily life. Additionally, you can ask questions to improve your health in the coming months and learn to manage chronic conditions.
- Physical examination. Your provider measures your height, weight, blood pressure and more. You may undergo blood tests and other age-specific screenings, and your provider evaluates any problem areas. When appropriate, your PCP prescribes treatment.
- Vaccination. Your provider discusses your recommended immunization schedule. This includes vaccination for the flu, COVID-19, polio and other conditions. In most cases, you can receive vaccines during your appointment.
Give Mind to Mental Health
In addition to physical health, it’s essential to monitor your family’s mental health. Your PCP and mental health professionals can help you detect and treat depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions.
“Anxiety is not new,” says Dr. Shannon Bennett, child and adolescent psychiatrist, assistant professor of psychology in clinical psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine and director of Psychology for the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. “But if something makes you anxious, there’s no way to disconnect from that anymore, or it’s much more difficult to disconnect from it.”
As a result, children and adults face anxiety triggers all day long. To reduce your family’s bouts of anxiety or depression, try the following:
- Avoid triggers. Social media and news are two sources of mental health distress. Identify what affects your mental well-being and reduce your exposure to it.
- Make healthy choices. Physical health affects mental health. The Anxiety & Depression Association of America recommends improving both by eating healthily, getting plenty of good sleep and exercising regularly.
- Seek expert help. Working with a professional can help manage the whole family’s mental health. At Weill Cornell Medicine, you can access psychiatry services through the Youth Anxiety Center, outpatient care for children and adults and more.
Personal Care Wherever You Are
With the start of the new year, don't forget to update any changes to your insurance information directly in your Connect account. You can also access all of the Digital Health Services tools at your convenience.
Video visits are a convenient way to receive quick medical care without going to your provider’s office. Online-based care also reduces exposure to and the spread of viruses.
With video visits, you can see your PCP or a mental health professional without leaving home. As long as you have internet access and a capable device, you can access health experts anywhere in the world.
“Weill Cornell Medicine has offered video visits for a long time,” Dr. McCartie says. “This technology allows us to provide continuity of care for patients.”
Ready to care for your family’s health in the coming year? Find a doctor at Weill Cornell Medicine who can help.