Health Promotion

How often should you have a physical, check laboratory levels such as cholesterol or have a vaccination to protect against pneumonia or the flu? Click here to view the Sanford Health Guidelines. 

Click on the links below for recommendations endorsed by the American Geriatric Society.

The vision of the Partners in Prevention program is to create healthier communities by providing screens and programs to encourage healthy lifestyles which promote physical and emotional well-being. Health screenings are available at the Sanford Wellness Center located at 3401 West 49th Street here in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Here are some of the health screenings that are available to you: Walk In Health Screen (monthly Lipid Panel, Glucose (Blood Sugar) and Blood Pressure screens available without an appointment); Vascular Screen (group of non-invasive ultrasound tests designed to evaluate the blood vessels in the neck, legs and abdomen); Stroke Screen (designed to identify risk factors for developing a stroke or brain attack); and the Lung Test (designed to evaluate lung function. Abnormal test results may indicate the presence of lung disease.)

Please call Jenny McDonald at 605-328-1609 or email for more information about which health screenings would be most helpful for you.

Monthly breast self-exams, annual mammograms starting at age 40 and maintaining a healthy weight can all contribute to good breast health and lower your risk of breast cancer. Breast cancer is fairly common and we don't know exactly how long it takes to develop, but it usually grows slowly. In fact, it can be several years before a lump becomes big enough to be detected.

Breast cancer can occur at any age. The average age of women when they are diagnosed with breast cancer is 59 years. However, about a quarter of women diagnosed with breast cancer are younger than 50 years. Breast cancer can also develop in men, although this is rare. Male breast cancer accounts for about 1% of all breast cancer.

Knowledge is power...learning is a choice...and change is a process. When you combine knowledge, learning and change you have a powerful trio that can help you be a healthier you. Learn more about the breast health classes offered by Sanford Womens. They also offer a Support Group that meets the 4th Tuesday of the month at 7 pm located at the Breast Health Institute (Cancer Center), please call 605-328-2891 for more information.

Adults 65 and older should be among the first to get their flu shots. You should also be vaccinated against pneumococcal disease. Pneumococcal infections can cause pneumonia and deadly infections of the blood and brain. Together, the two infectious diseases kill 40,000 Americans - most of them 65 and older - each year.

Refer to the following document and learn about the prevention tips for the older adult against the flu and pneumonia.