Guarding Your Health: A Veteran’s Guide to Preventative Care

5-15-2025

By Dr. Howard Friedman MD | Veteran | U.S. Army Medical Corps | Internal Medicine | HHOM LLC

Prevention is the best medicine. From good nutrition and restful sleep to regular check-ups and vaccinations, these pillars of health work together to shield us from illness before it starts

Stand guard before the battle starts,

With shield in hand and steady hearts.

Each check, each choice, a watchful gate,

Against the tolls that lie in wait.

Prevention walks where danger sleeps—

A quiet vow the strong still keep.

----Dr. Howard Friedman MD

Preventative health is the foundation of lasting well-being. It is not simply about avoiding disease — it is about taking ownership of your health, detecting problems early, and strengthening the body before crisis strikes. It is a quiet discipline that has protected generations, allowing us to live longer, fuller lives. For veterans especially, understanding preventative health is not a luxury — it is a necessity.

Preventative health measures include early detection, routine exams, immunizations, lifestyle choices, risk assessments, and patient education. In the broader society, we often take these systems for granted — clean water, safe food supplies, vaccines that have wiped out diseases once feared. But the COVID-19 pandemic exposed just how fragile public trust can be, and how easily personal belief can override evidence. It taught us something every physician has always known there is no such thing as an "obsolete truth" — only a truth that must be earned through diligence, integrity, and discernment. In a system driven by profit, you must always be willing to ask: who benefits?

The information I offer here is based on evidence-based medicine — not on opinion, not on politics. It is my duty, as both a physician and a veteran, to pass that forward.

Immunizations: Protecting Yourself and Others Vaccines remain one of the greatest public health achievements in history. They have increased life expectancy, prevented suffering, and protected entire communities. Yet, no intervention is without risk. Because every human being is unique — with their own genetics, immune responses, and life history — a very small percentage of individuals may have adverse reactions. If it happens to you, it matters immensely. That is the honest truth. But the greater truth is that vaccines save far more lives than they harm. Choosing vaccination is both a personal decision and a societal responsibility.

Early Detection: Catching Disease Before It Grows Screening saves lives by finding diseases early, when they are most treatable.

For colorectal cancer, screening now begins at age 45 — earlier if there is a family history. Screening methods include stool-based tests that look for DNA changes and blood markers, or colonoscopy, which allows for direct visualization and removal of precancerous polyps. Colon cancer grows slowly, typically over years, which is why regular screening makes such a powerful difference.

Prostate cancer screening, by contrast, is more complex. The PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) blood test measures prostate size, but an elevated PSA is not always cancer — it could reflect normal aging. Biopsies provide answers, but they carry their own risks. The decision to pursue screening must be an informed one, made in partnership with your healthcare provider.

Breast cancer screening for women should begin with mammograms around ages 40–45, continuing yearly until about 55, after which screenings may be spaced every other year. Cervical cancer screening with Pap smears is recommended every three years (or every five years if combined with HPV testing) until the age of 65.

Routine Exams: Small Checks That Save Lives Blood pressure checks, cholesterol screening, diabetes screening — these simple evaluations identify silent threats before they can do irreversible harm. It is far better to treat high blood pressure when it is only a number, not a stroke.

Key Vaccinations to Consider:

• DPT (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus)

• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)

• Pneumococcal Vaccine (to prevent pneumonia in adults 65+)

• Shingles Vaccine (for adults over 50 who had chickenpox)

• Hepatitis B Vaccine

• HPV Vaccine (to prevent certain cancers)

• Meningococcal Vaccine (for certain higher-risk groups)

The shingles story, in particular, is one veterans should know. If you had chickenpox as a child, the virus remains dormant in your nerve roots. About one-third of people will experience shingles later in life — a painful, often debilitating reactivation of the virus. Vaccination greatly lowers this risk.

Lifestyle Choices: The Front Lines of Preventative Health No screening or vaccine can replace the daily choices we make:

• Wearing seatbelts and helmets.

• Choosing a balanced diet rich in whole foods.

• Exercising to build resilience.

• Prioritizing restorative sleep.

• Avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol.

  
  

The VA health system rightly emphasizes these topics during routine care, because they form the front line of personal health defense. Prevention is not a passive state — it is an active duty.

Final Thoughts: Standing Guard Over Your Health Preventative health is a commitment — a steady defense against a future you cannot always predict but can often shape. As veterans, we know better than most that preparation and vigilance are not luxuries. They are duties.

At HHOM LLC, I offer consultations, subscriptions, and personalized Q&A through Ask Dr. Howard — because sometimes you need a veteran who understands the mission. Visit www.hhomllc.com to learn more.

—Dr. Howard Friedman MD

Board-Certified | Internal Medicine | Veteran | U.S. Army Medical Corps

Founder of Howard’s House of Medicine (HHOM LLC)

https://www.hhomllc.com

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Why is preventative health especially important for veterans?

A: Veterans are often exposed to unique health risks during service—ranging from environmental toxins to high-stress combat conditions—that can take years to manifest. Preventative health offers the best chance to detect these issues early and intervene before they progress. At HHOM LLC, we help veterans take proactive control of their health through evidence-based strategies, not just reactive care.

Q: What are examples of preventative health actions veterans should prioritize?

A: Routine check-ups, blood pressure monitoring, cancer screenings, immunizations, and mental health evaluations are all critical components. Veterans should also focus on lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, sleep, and stress reduction. These aren’t just checkboxes—they’re shields against future illness.

Q: What role does HHOM LLC play in preventative health?

A: At HHOM LLC, we provide personalized, physician-led guidance tailored to your history and goals. Dr. Howard Friedman—a veteran and board-certified internist—offers clear, practical insights into how lifestyle and early detection can dramatically shift your long-term health trajectory. We’re not a clinic. We’re your compass, helping you move forward with intention and strength.

Q: Q: What’s one small step I can take today to start protecting my long-term health?

A: Start by scheduling one routine checkup or screening you've been putting off — whether it's a blood pressure check, lab work, or a conversation with a provider about your concerns. Preventative care begins with awareness. Even a single appointment can reveal hidden risks and put you on a more proactive path. It’s not about overhauling your life overnight; it’s about showing up for yourself, one decision at a time.