How often should you go for a health screening?

25 Mar 2025

SOURCE: CPF Board

Are you doing enough for your own health? Regular health screenings play a crucial role in maintaining your well-being. But many people put it off. What are some of the reasons that stop you?

You feel healthy and well

Why should you go for a health screening? You’re young, feeling great, and just hit a personal best in your run. So why bother?
 

Many health conditions develop, without any obvious symptoms or signs. Detecting them early reduces the risk of serious complications and allows for timely management with fewer health risks down the road. Scheduling regular screenings helps safeguard your long-term well-being.

You are too busy

Are you really? Most routine screenings take just a few hours — sometimes as little as 30 minutes a year. Isn’t that a small investment for your long-term well-being?

But how often should you go? The frequency of health screenings depends on several factors, including your age, sex, current health, and family medical history.

Here are three key points to consider when making your decision:

1. Schedule regular screening tests based on the recommended frequency (see table below).

2. A one-time screening only detects conditions present at that moment.

3. Regular screenings help identify new health issues that may arise over time.

A basic health screening usually covers these components:

• Medical health assessment done by a qualified physician to assess your medical history and lifestyle and identify any potential health risks

Physical examination: 

• Measuring your Blood Pressure (BP)  

• BMI (Body Mass Index) by taking your height, weight, and waist circumference

• Checking your vision

• Blood glucose test*: your blood sample is taken after fasting, to test for diabetes

• Blood cholesterol test: checking for high cholesterol and cardiovascular diseases, taken after fasting.

*Non-fasting blood glucose tests are available under some providers

It may seem like a lot, but the process is quick—and the benefits last a lifetime!

You are not sure what to do

There are two primary categories of screening tests available:
 

Category 1 – Suitable for population-level screening i.e. beneficial for everyone. These tests are proven to both clinically and cost-effective.
 

General screening tests for adults (beneficial for everyone)

Source: HealthHub

Category 2 – Suitable for individual-level decision i.e. beneficial for some but not others. These tests may be useful for high-risk population or there is some evidence that the test is clinically effective but may not be cost-effective.

Tests under Category 2 are done based on the individuals’ health condition/needs to detect specific diseases. This is done to help the doctor gets a clearer and more complete picture of your specific health condition, for people who have risk factors such as having a family history of genetic or chronic diseases or having an existing medical condition. Some of these tests include:

• ECG (electrocardiogram): to test if your heart activity is normal and detect any heart condition 

• Full blood count: to check if you have anaemia

• Liver, kidney and thyroid function tests 

• Chest X-Ray

• Urine analysis: to check your kidney function, through a urine sample

You are not sure where to go

Health screenings are widely available at most public hospitals, polyclinics, and private clinics across Singapore, making it easy and convenient to get checked wherever you are.
 

Do polyclinics provide health screening? Polyclinics provide screenings for specific conditions like high blood cholesterol, diabetes and hypertension. This includes cardiovascular risk screenings such as height and weight measurements, blood and blood pressure tests. There are also breast and cervical cancer screenings available. However, such screenings, if needed, will only be ordered by the doctor upon consultation.

You find it too expensive

Under the Health Promotion Board’s Screen for Life (SFL) programme, Singapore citizens can get subsidised health screenings at Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) General Practitioner (GP) Clinics. With the subsidies, you only need to pay no more than $5 per visit. SFL aims to encourage citizens and Permanent Residents (PR)* to go for regular health screening and follow-ups.
 

* Permanent Residents should check in with their CHAS GP clinic on the screening test rates offered under the Screen for Life programme. The prevailing doctor consultation will be charged accordingly by the respective CHAS GP clinics.

Recommended screening by age (offered under SFL)

*If you are between 18 and 39 years old, and is identified to be at ‘higher risk of’ developing diabetes after taking the Diabetes Risk Assessment (DRA), you are eligible for the SFL subsidy for cardiovascular risk screening (i.e. diabetes, high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure). 
 

 Take the DRA now
 

As a general rule, you should regularly test for chronic illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes and high blood cholesterol, along with cancer, regardless of your age.
 

Find out more about Screen for Life

Otherwise, the cost of health screening packages varies across healthcare institutions in Singapore, depending on the tests included. Here’s a comparison of available packages:
 

^Sourced from the official websites of various clinics and hospitals.
*Cost subject to change — please confirm with the respective healthcare provider for the latest rates
 

Health screening packages tend to cost more when they include more tests, but more isn’t always better. While age is considered a big factor in the choice of health screening tests, it’s more important to assess your personal medical condition and risk factors. In this case, it is advisable to consult your doctor to identify the type of tests you should do and thus avoid doing unnecessary tests. 

You are afraid of needles

Unfortunately, blood tests are often a standard part of health screenings, but you don’t have to do it alone. Consider bringing your family and make it a shared commitment to staying healthy together. Alternatively, many companies offer corporate health screening packages. Team up with a work buddy and go together — having support can make the experience easier.

What's after a health screening?

If the doctor gives you a clean bill of health, congratulations! Keep up the good work by staying active and maintain your well-being. But remember, screening once is not enough, you need to screen regularly to pick up conditions early and manage them appropriately.

If there is a health issue detected, schedule a follow-up with your doctor/specialist immediately to identify the next steps. Your MediSave savings can help to offset your medical expenses for selected outpatient treatments, such as:

• Chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis and gout

• Cancer treatments 

• Renal dialysis

This support ensures you can manage your health condition with a greater peace of mind.

What's after a health screening?

If the doctor gives you a clean bill of health, congratulations! Keep up the good work by staying active and maintain your well-being. But remember, screening once is not enough, you need to screen regularly to pick up conditions early and manage them appropriately.

If there is a health issue detected, schedule a follow-up with your doctor/specialist immediately to identify the next steps. Your MediSave savings can help to offset your medical expenses for selected outpatient treatments, such as:

• Chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis and gout

• Cancer treatments 

• Renal dialysis

This support ensures you can manage your health condition with a greater peace of mind.

IIn summary, health screenings are not something to put off. Even if you’re feeling great now, prevention is always better than cure.
 

Whatever your concerns, we hope this article has provided the information you need to take that next step—scheduling regular screenings to safeguard your health for the long run.
 

Next, stay informed about national insurance schemes like MediShield Life and optional plans like Integrated Shield Plans (IPs) to better protect yourself from high medical costs.

Check out this guide to your healthcare insurance coverage

Information in this article is accurate as at the date of publication.