Ages 18–29: what to watch for
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General information only. Not medical advice and not a substitute for a doctor.
Elsewhere, call your local emergency number.
How the body typically changes
- The prostate starts a second phase of growth around age 25 and keeps growing through life. Non-cancerous enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia) is the most common prostate problem after age 50, and it rarely causes symptoms before age 40. Source
- Hearing tends to decline with age: among adults aged 20 to 69 in the United States, age is the strongest predictor of hearing loss, and hearing loss is greatest at ages 60 to 69. (United States) Source
- Fertility declines steadily with age, mainly because egg quality falls and fewer eggs remain. A menstrual cycle lasts 28 days on average, and regular periods every 21 to 35 days are likely a sign of ovulation. Source
Main health risks
- Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death worldwide for children and young adults aged 5 to 29. Source
- Worldwide, suicide is one of the leading causes of death among people aged 15 to 29. Source
- Worldwide, people aged 20 to 39 are disproportionately harmed by alcohol, with the highest proportion of deaths caused by alcohol of any age group. No form of drinking is risk-free. Source
- In the United States, mental illness is most common in young adults: about 36.2% of people aged 18 to 25 had a mental illness in the past year, compared with 23.1% of all adults. (United States) Source
- Testicular cancer is most common between ages 15 and 49, and it can affect anyone who has testicles. Source
- Most breast cancers are found in older women, but in the United States about 10% are found in women younger than 45, and breast cancer at a younger age is more likely to be hereditary. (United States) Source
Population data
| Country | Sex | Average years left at age 18 | Deaths before age 30, per thousand people of this age |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Women | 64.4 | 6.3 |
| United States | Men | 59.6 | 16 |
| England, UK* | Women | 65.6 | 3.0 |
| England, UK* | Men | 61.8 | 6.9 |
| China | Women | 63.6 | 5.2 |
| China | Men | 58.0 | 8.3 |
| Japan | Women | 70.0 | 2.8 |
| Japan | Men | 64.0 | 5.3 |
| Spain | Women | 68.6 | 1.6 |
| Spain | Men | 63.3 | 3.7 |
| Brazil | Women | 62.1 | 7.2 |
| Brazil | Men | 56.2 | 27 |
Averages for whole populations from the United Nations; they say nothing about any one person. Figures are United Nations estimates for 2023. *UN data covers the whole United Kingdom; the guidelines shown are for England. Source: UN DESA, Population Division (2024), World Population Prospects 2024, CC BY 3.0 IGO; calculated and translated by Age Flags.
Screenings and vaccines by country
Showing: United States · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US) · US Preventive Services Task Force
US vaccination schedules have changed in recent years; check the current schedule on the CDC website. CDC immunization schedules Congressional Research Service overview
Starting in this age range
- Cervical cytology (Pap test), HPV test, or both together (co-test) — Women; ages 21 to 65
- Blood pressure measurement — age 18 and over
- Hepatitis C antibody blood test (a positive result is confirmed with a PCR test) — ages 18 to 79
- Tuberculosis infection test (skin test or blood test) — age 18 and over; At increased risk of tuberculosis, for example born in or a former resident of a country where TB is common, or living or having lived in a homeless shelter or correctional facility
- Tetanus and diphtheria booster (Td or Tdap) — age 19 and over
- Recombinant shingles vaccine (Shingrix) — age 19 and over; Has an immunocompromising condition (including HIV)
- HPV vaccine — ages 27 to 45; Based on shared clinical decision-making with a health care provider
Screening tests
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anxiety screening questions (short questionnaire) Anxiety screening |
ages 8 to 18 | The task force found the evidence insufficient to recommend for or against screening younger children. | US Preventive Services Task Force · Anxiety in Children and Adolescents: Screening · USPSTF grade B MyHealthfinder: Get Your Child Screened for Anxiety |
|
| Depression screening questionnaire (such as the Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ) Depression screening |
ages 12 to 18 | Screening is for major depressive disorder. The task force found the evidence insufficient to recommend for or against screening younger children, or screening children and teens for suicide risk. | US Preventive Services Task Force · Depression and Suicide Risk in Children and Adolescents: Screening · USPSTF grade B MyHealthfinder: Get Your Teen Screened for Depression |
|
| HIV test HIV screening |
ages 15 to 65 | Younger adolescents and older adults at increased risk should also be screened; repeat screening is reasonable for people at increased risk. | US Preventive Services Task Force · Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection: Screening · USPSTF grade A MyHealthfinder: Get Tested for HIV |
|
| Hepatitis C antibody blood test (a positive result is confirmed with a PCR test) Hepatitis C screening |
ages 18 to 79 | once · Most adults need to be screened only once; people with continued risk (for example, past or current injection drug use) should be screened periodically. | US Preventive Services Task Force · Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Adolescents and Adults: Screening · USPSTF grade B |
|
| Blood pressure measurement Blood pressure check |
age 18 and over | Suggested intervals: every year from age 40 and for adults at increased risk; every 3 to 5 years for adults aged 18 to 39 who are not at increased risk and had a normal reading before. | US Preventive Services Task Force · Hypertension in Adults: Screening · USPSTF grade A MyHealthfinder: Get Your Blood Pressure Checked |
|
| Tuberculosis infection test (skin test or blood test) Latent tuberculosis (TB) infection screening |
age 18 and over; At increased risk of tuberculosis, for example born in or a former resident of a country where TB is common, or living or having lived in a homeless shelter or correctional facility | As set out in the source | US Preventive Services Task Force · Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Adults: Screening · USPSTF grade B MyHealthfinder: Testing for Latent Tuberculosis: Questions for the Doctor |
|
| Anxiety screening questions (short questionnaire) Anxiety screening |
ages 19 to 64 | Includes pregnant and postpartum people. | US Preventive Services Task Force · Anxiety Disorders in Adults: Screening · USPSTF grade B |
|
| Depression screening questionnaire (such as the Patient Health Questionnaire, PHQ) Depression screening |
age 19 and over | Includes pregnant and postpartum people and older adults. | US Preventive Services Task Force · Depression and Suicide Risk in Adults: Screening · USPSTF grade B |
|
| Cervical cytology (Pap test), HPV test, or both together (co-test) Cervical cancer screening |
Women; ages 21 to 65 | Cervical cytology (smear test) — every 3 years (age 21 and over) · High-risk HPV test alone — every 5 years (age 30 and over) · HPV test together with cervical cytology (co-test) — every 5 years (age 30 and over) | US Preventive Services Task Force · Cervical Cancer: Screening · USPSTF grade A MyHealthfinder: Get Screened for Cervical Cancer |
Vaccines
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flu vaccine (any type suitable for age and health) Flu vaccination |
age 19 and over | every year · From age 65, a high-dose, recombinant or adjuvanted flu vaccine is preferred. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US) · Adult Immunization Schedule Notes · CDC immunization schedule MyHealthfinder: Get Vaccines to Protect Your Health (Adults Ages 19 to 49 Years) Adult Immunization Schedule by Age (Table 1) |
|
| Hepatitis B vaccine Hepatitis B vaccination |
ages 19 to 59 | Two, three or four doses depending on the vaccine. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US) · Adult Immunization Schedule Notes · CDC immunization schedule MyHealthfinder: Protect Yourself from Hepatitis B |
|
| HPV vaccine HPV vaccination |
ages 19 to 26 | Catch-up for adults not fully vaccinated: two or three doses depending on age at the first dose; people who start at age 15 or older need three doses. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US) · Adult Immunization Schedule Notes · CDC immunization schedule MyHealthfinder: Get Vaccines to Protect Your Health (Adults Ages 19 to 49 Years) |
|
| Recombinant shingles vaccine (Shingrix) Shingles vaccination |
age 19 and over; Has an immunocompromising condition (including HIV) | Two doses, given 2 to 6 months apart. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US) · Adult Immunization Schedule Notes · CDC immunization schedule Shingles Vaccine Recommendations (for healthcare providers) Adult Immunization Schedule by Age (Table 1) |
|
| Tetanus and diphtheria booster (Td or Tdap) Diphtheria and tetanus vaccination |
age 19 and over | every 10 years · Adults who did not get Tdap at age 10 or older get one dose of Tdap first. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US) · Adult Immunization Schedule Notes · CDC immunization schedule MyHealthfinder: Get Vaccines to Protect Your Health (Adults Ages 19 to 49 Years) MyHealthfinder: Get Vaccines to Protect Your Health (Adults Age 50 Years or Older) Pertussis Vaccination Recommendations (for healthcare providers) Adult Immunization Schedule by Age (Table 1) |
|
| HPV vaccine HPV vaccination |
ages 27 to 45; Based on shared clinical decision-making with a health care provider | As set out in the source | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US) · Adult Immunization Schedule Notes · CDC immunization schedule MyHealthfinder: Get Vaccines to Protect Your Health (Adults Ages 19 to 49 Years) Adult Immunization Schedule by Age (Table 1) |
Childhood immunizations
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis B vaccine Hepatitis B vaccination |
up to age 18 | at birth, 1–2 months, 6–18 months · When the mother tests negative for hepatitis B, medically stable babies above the low-birth-weight cut-off get the first dose within 24 hours of birth; other situations follow different timing (see the CDC notes). The age range includes catch-up: unvaccinated children and teens should complete the series. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US) · Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule Notes · CDC immunization schedule MyHealthfinder: Protect Yourself from Hepatitis B |
|
| Polio vaccine (inactivated, IPV) Polio vaccination |
2 months to 18 years | 2 months, 4 months, 6–18 months, 4–6 years · The age range includes catch-up: adolescents age 18 who are unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated complete the primary series. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US) · Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule Notes · CDC immunization schedule Polio Vaccine VIS Polio Vaccine Recommendations (for healthcare providers) |
|
| Flu vaccine (any type suitable for age and health) Flu vaccination |
6 months to 18 years | 6 months to 18 years · Children aged 6 months to 8 years who have had fewer than two flu vaccine doses before (see the source for the cut-off date), or whose history is unknown, need two doses at least 4 weeks apart; everyone else needs one dose each season. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US) · Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule Notes · CDC immunization schedule MyHealthfinder: Get Your Pre-teen's Vaccines on Schedule |
|
| Hepatitis A vaccine Hepatitis A vaccination |
12 months to 18 years | 12–23 months, at least 6 months after the previous dose · The age range includes catch-up: unvaccinated children and teens should complete the two-dose series. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US) · Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule Notes · CDC immunization schedule |
|
| MMR vaccine (measles, mumps and rubella) Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination |
12 months to 18 years | 12–15 months, 4–6 years · The age range includes catch-up: unvaccinated children and teens get two doses at least 4 weeks apart. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US) · Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule Notes · CDC immunization schedule |
|
| Chickenpox (varicella) vaccine Chickenpox (varicella) vaccination |
12 months to 18 years | 12–15 months, 4–6 years · The second dose may be given as early as 3 months after the first. The age range includes catch-up (two doses) for children and teens without evidence of immunity. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US) · Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule Notes · CDC immunization schedule |
|
| HPV vaccine HPV vaccination |
ages 11 to 18 | 11–12 years, 6–12 months after the previous dose · Can start at age 9. The age range includes catch-up for everyone who is not fully vaccinated; people who start at age 15 or older need three doses. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US) · Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule Notes · CDC immunization schedule MyHealthfinder: Get Your Child the HPV Vaccine |
|
| MenACWY vaccine Meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y (MenACWY) vaccination |
ages 11 to 18 | 11–12 years, 16 years · The age range includes catch-up for teens who missed a dose; how many doses they need depends on their age (see the source). | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US) · Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule Notes · CDC immunization schedule MyHealthfinder: Get Your Pre-teen's Vaccines on Schedule |
|
| Whooping cough vaccine (Tdap) Diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough vaccination |
ages 11 to 18 | 11–12 years · The age range includes catch-up: teens aged 13 or older who have not had Tdap get one dose. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US) · Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule Notes · CDC immunization schedule MyHealthfinder: Get Your Pre-teen's Vaccines on Schedule Pertussis Vaccination Recommendations (for healthcare providers) |
|
| MenB vaccine Meningococcal group B (MenB) vaccination |
ages 16 to 23; Based on shared clinical decision-making with a health care provider | 16–23 years, at least 6 months after the previous dose · For adolescents and young adults not at increased risk; ages 16 to 18 are preferred. | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US) · Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule Notes · CDC immunization schedule |
No national health check programme item for United States in this age range could be verified automatically.
Recommendations during pregnancy are not tied to an age band. See the pregnancy section of the full schedule
Showing: England, UK · UK Health Security Agency · NHS England
Items for the United Kingdom cover England only.
Starting in this age range
- HPV-only test (with cytology triage if positive) — Women; ages 25 to 64
- Recombinant shingles vaccine (Shingrix) — age 18 and over; Severely weakened immune system (as defined in the UK Green Book)
Screening tests
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HPV-only test (with cytology triage if positive) Cervical cancer screening |
Women; ages 25 to 64 | every 5 years | NHS England · NHS Cervical Screening Programme · National programme Cervical screening: When you'll be invited |
Vaccines
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recombinant shingles vaccine (Shingrix) Shingles vaccination |
age 18 and over; Severely weakened immune system (as defined in the UK Green Book) | Two doses, given 8 weeks to 6 months apart. | UK Health Security Agency · Shingles immunisation programme · National programme Shingles vaccine |
Childhood immunizations
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HPV vaccine (nine-valent) HPV vaccination |
Girls; from age 12 until your 25th birthday | 12–13 years · A single dose, usually given in school year 8; the age range includes catch-up for girls who missed it. | UK Health Security Agency · HPV vaccination guidance for healthcare practitioners · National programme HPV vaccine Complete routine immunisation schedule from 1 September 2026 |
|
| HPV vaccine (nine-valent) HPV vaccination |
Boys; from age 12 until your 25th birthday; born on or after | 12–13 years · A single dose, usually given in school year 8; the age range includes catch-up for boys in the eligible birth cohort who missed it. | UK Health Security Agency · HPV vaccination guidance for healthcare practitioners · National programme HPV vaccine Complete routine immunisation schedule from 1 September 2026 |
|
| MenACWY vaccine Meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y (MenACWY) vaccination |
from age 14 until your 25th birthday | 14 years · A single dose, usually given in school year 9 or 10; the age range includes catch-up for anyone who missed it. | UK Health Security Agency · Meningococcal ACWY programme: information for healthcare professionals · National programme MenACWY vaccine Complete routine immunisation schedule from 1 September 2026 |
No national health check programme item for England, UK in this age range could be verified automatically.
Recommendations during pregnancy are not tied to an age band. See the pregnancy section of the full schedule
Showing: China · Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention
No national screening item for China in this age range could be verified automatically.
Vaccines
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seasonal flu vaccine (inactivated or live attenuated) Flu vaccination |
from 6 months | every year · Priority groups are health workers, people aged 60 and over, people with chronic conditions, care-home residents and staff, children aged 6 months to under 5 years, carers of babies under 6 months and pregnant women. Children under 9 years having their first inactivated vaccine need two doses at least 4 weeks apart. | Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention · 中国流感疫苗预防接种技术指南(2026—2027) · Technical guideline 中国流感疫苗预防接种技术指南(2026—2027)（发布页） |
No national health check programme item for China in this age range could be verified automatically.
Showing: Japan · Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan)
In Japan, cancer screening is carried out by municipalities.
Starting in this age range
- Cervical cytology or HPV-only test — Women; age 20 and over
Screening tests
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cervical cytology or HPV-only test Cervical cancer screening |
Women; age 20 and over | Cervical cytology (smear test) — every 2 years (age 20 and over) · HPV-only test (with cytology triage if positive) — every 5 years (age 30 and over) · From age 30 each municipality offers either cytology or HPV-only testing (the person cannot choose); screening is particularly recommended at ages 20 to 69 with cytology and 30 to 60 with HPV-only testing. | Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · がん予防重点健康教育及びがん検診実施のための指針 · National guideline がん検診について（国立がん研究センター がん情報サービス） がん予防重点健康教育及びがん検診実施のための指針の一部改正について（令和7年12月24日 通知） The publisher has listed a newer edition, which applies from a later date. Source |
No national vaccine item for Japan in this age range could be verified automatically.
No national health check programme item for Japan in this age range could be verified automatically.
Recommendations during pregnancy are not tied to an age band. See the pregnancy section of the full schedule
Showing: Spain · Interterritorial Council of the National Health System (Spain) · Ministerio de Sanidad (Spain)
Starting in this age range
- Cervical cytology (smear test) — Women; ages 25 to 29
Screening tests
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cervical cytology (smear test) Cervical cancer screening |
Women; ages 25 to 29 | every 3 years · Women adequately protected by HPV vaccination may instead start screening at age 30, depending on how far the regional programme has been implemented. | Ministerio de Sanidad (Spain) · Cribado poblacional de cáncer de cérvix (cartera común básica de servicios del SNS; Orden SND/454/2025) · National programme Real Decreto 1030/2006, de 15 de septiembre, cartera de servicios comunes del SNS — texto consolidado, anexo I apartado 3 (BOE) |
No national vaccine item for Spain in this age range could be verified automatically.
Childhood immunizations
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HPV vaccine HPV vaccination |
ages 12 to 18 | 12 years · A single dose, for girls and boys. The age range includes catch-up (one dose) for unvaccinated young people. | Interterritorial Council of the National Health System (Spain) · Calendario común de vacunación e inmunización a lo largo de toda la vida. Calendario recomendado año 2026 · National programme Calendario común de vacunación e inmunización a lo largo de toda la vida. Calendario recomendado año 2026 (aprobado por el CISNS el 12 de diciembre de 2025) |
|
| MenACWY vaccine Meningococcal groups A, C, W and Y (MenACWY) vaccination |
ages 12 to 18 | 12 years · Not needed if a MenACWY dose was already given from age 10. The age range includes catch-up for unvaccinated adolescents. | Interterritorial Council of the National Health System (Spain) · Calendario común de vacunación e inmunización a lo largo de toda la vida. Calendario recomendado año 2026 · National programme Vacunas y Programa de Vacunación — Enfermedad meningocócica invasiva (Ministerio de Sanidad, ciudadanía) |
No national health check programme item for Spain in this age range could be verified automatically.
Recommendations during pregnancy are not tied to an age band. See the pregnancy section of the full schedule
Showing: Brazil · Ministério da Saúde (Brazil)
Starting in this age range
- High-risk HPV test (cervical cytology where the HPV test is not yet offered) — Women; ages 25 to 64; Has ever been sexually active
Screening tests
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-risk HPV test (cervical cytology where the HPV test is not yet offered) Cervical cancer screening |
Women; ages 25 to 64; Has ever been sexually active | High-risk HPV test alone — every 5 years · Cervical cytology (smear test) — every 3 years · The HPV test is now the primary screening test. Cytology (Pap test) is used only where the HPV test is not yet offered, and moves to its longer interval after 2 consecutive normal results a year apart. With the HPV test, routine testing stops after age 60 once the result is negative. | Ministério da Saúde (Brazil) · Diretrizes Brasileiras para o Rastreamento do Câncer do Colo do Útero: Parte I (teste de DNA-HPV oncogênico) · National guideline Diretrizes Brasileiras para o Rastreamento do Câncer do Colo do Útero: Parte I — Rastreamento organizado utilizando testes moleculares para detecção de DNA-HPV oncogênico (Portaria Conjunta SAES/SECTICS nº 13/2025) |
Vaccines
| Item | Who it is for | How often / doses | Guideline | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MMR vaccine (measles, mumps and rubella) Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination |
12 months to 29 years | Anyone without proof of 2 doses starts or completes the course, with doses 30 days apart. | Ministério da Saúde (Brazil) · Instrução Normativa do Calendário Nacional de Vacinação 2026 · National programme Calendário Nacional de Vacinação (Ministério da Saúde) |
|
| Yellow fever vaccine (live attenuated) Yellow fever vaccination |
ages 5 to 59 | Recommended throughout Brazil. One dose for anyone never vaccinated; one booster if the only previous dose was given before age 5. From age 60, it is given only in exceptional cases, after an individual risk-benefit assessment. | Ministério da Saúde (Brazil) · Instrução Normativa do Calendário Nacional de Vacinação 2026 · National programme Calendário Nacional de Vacinação (Ministério da Saúde) |
|
| Hepatitis B vaccine Hepatitis B vaccination |
age 7 and over | Anyone without 3 recorded doses starts or completes the course, with the second dose 1 month and the third 6 months after the first. | Ministério da Saúde (Brazil) · Instrução Normativa do Calendário Nacional de Vacinação 2026 · National programme Calendário Nacional de Vacinação (Ministério da Saúde) |
|
| dT vaccine (adult-type tetanus and diphtheria) Diphtheria and tetanus vaccination |
age 14 and over | every 10 years · The first booster is at age 14, after the childhood DTP doses; the interval is shortened to 5 years if there is a risk of tetanus or diphtheria exposure. Anyone from age 7 without 3 previous doses starts or completes the course first. | Ministério da Saúde (Brazil) · Instrução Normativa do Calendário Nacional de Vacinação 2026 · National programme Calendário Nacional de Vacinação (Ministério da Saúde) |
No national health check programme item for Brazil in this age range could be verified automatically.
Recommendations during pregnancy are not tied to an age band. See the pregnancy section of the full schedule
How countries compare
Each country bases its guidelines on its own evidence reviews and health system. Age Flags lists them side by side and does not judge between them.
| Item | United States | England, UK | China | Japan | Spain | Brazil |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cervical cancer screening |
Women; ages 21 to 65
|
Women; ages 25 to 64
every 5 years |
— |
Women; age 20 and over
|
Women; ages 25 to 29
every 3 years |
Women; ages 25 to 64; Has ever been sexually active
|
| Diphtheria and tetanus vaccination |
age 19 and over
every 10 years |
Combined vaccines that also cover this may be listed in the country's full schedule: England, UK | — | — | — |
age 14 and over
every 10 years |
| Hepatitis B vaccination |
ages 19 to 59
up to age 18
|
Combined vaccines that also cover this may be listed in the country's full schedule: England, UK | — | — | — |
age 7 and over
|
| HPV vaccination |
ages 19 to 26
ages 27 to 45; Based on shared clinical decision-making with a health care provider
ages 11 to 18
|
Women; from age 12 until your 25th birthday
Men; from age 12 until your 25th birthday; born on or after
|
— | — |
ages 12 to 18
|
— |
| Flu vaccination |
age 19 and over
every year 6 months to 18 years
every year |
— |
from 6 months
every year |
— | — | — |
| Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination |
12 months to 18 years
|
Combined vaccines that also cover this may be listed in the country's full schedule: England, UK | — | Combined vaccines that also cover this may be listed in the country's full schedule: Japan | — |
12 months to 29 years
|
| Shingles vaccination |
age 19 and over; Has an immunocompromising condition (including HIV)
|
age 18 and over; Severely weakened immune system (as defined in the UK Green Book)
|
— | — | — | — |
Everyday health
- Guidelines for adults aged 19 to 64 advise at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity a week, muscle-strengthening activities on at least 2 days a week, and breaking up long periods of sitting. Source
- Adults aged 18 to 60 need 7 or more hours of sleep each day, and adults aged 61 to 64 need 7 to 9 hours. Source
- UK guidelines for people over 18 advise not regularly drinking more than 14 units of alcohol a week and, for those who drink that much, spreading it over 3 or more days. Staying within this keeps risks low but does not make drinking safe. (England, UK) Source
- WHO guidance is for everyone older than 10 to aim for at least 400 grams of fruit and vegetables and at least 25 grams of naturally occurring fibre a day, and for adults to keep salt below 5 grams a day. Source
- In the United States, tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable disease and death. E-cigarette use is most common among adults aged 18 to 24, and cigarette smoking among adults aged 45 to 64. (United States) Source
If your ancestry or background is…
South Asian · Chinese · Other Asian · Middle Eastern · Black African or African Caribbean
NICE (UK) guidance says people with a South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean background tend to carry more fat around the abdomen and face weight-related risks at a lower BMI. For adults it uses lower thresholds: overweight from 23 to 27.4, obesity from 27.5 or above.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) · England, UK · Source
Fair skin types
USPSTF (US) guidance says people with fair skin types (pale skin, light hair and eye colour, freckles, or skin that sunburns easily) are at higher risk of skin cancer. It recommends counselling people aged 6 months to 24 years, and parents of young children, about limiting exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and selectively offering this counselling to adults older than 24.
US Preventive Services Task Force · Source
Born in, or with parents from, a region where hepatitis B is more common
CDC (US) guidelines list people born in regions where hepatitis B infection prevalence is 2% or more among those at increased risk, and recommend testing them, regardless of age, if they may have been susceptible to infection. The same applies to people born in the United States who were not vaccinated as infants and whose parents were born in regions where prevalence is 8% or more.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US) · Source
East Asian
The MHLW (Japan) drinking guideline, mainly for adults aged 20 and over, says that in East Asia a number of people have a weak enzyme for breaking down alcohol and may flush red when they drink; about 41% of people in Japan are thought to react this way. It warns that long-term drinking greatly raises their risk of mouth and oesophageal cancer, even once it stops feeling unpleasant.
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Japan) · Source
Ancestry is a population-level stand-in for risk factors, not a biological cause. Your own situation is for your doctor to judge.
When to see a doctor
- Sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face, weakness or numbness in one arm, or slurred or confused speech can be signs of a stroke, which is an emergency: call your local emergency number straight away, even if the symptoms stop after a short time. A stroke can happen at any age. Source
- Chest pain that feels crushing or squeezing, possibly spreading to the arm, neck or jaw, along with shortness of breath, feeling sick or sweating, can be signs of a heart attack, which needs emergency treatment: call your local emergency number straight away. Source
- A lump or swelling in the testicles, a change in their shape or feel, or aching that does not go away is a reason to see a GP; most lumps are not serious. Sudden, severe testicle pain needs emergency care. Contact a doctor or your local health service; in an emergency, call your local emergency number. Source
If you are worried about a symptom, contact a doctor or your local health service. In an emergency, call the emergency number for your country.
Common questions
Which items start in this age range in the United States?
For example: Cervical cytology (Pap test), HPV test, or both together (co-test). Guideline: US Preventive Services Task Force. Who it is for: Women; ages 21 to 65. How often / doses: Cervical cytology (smear test) — every 3 years (age 21 and over) · High-risk HPV test alone — every 5 years (age 30 and over) · HPV test together with cervical cytology (co-test) — every 5 years (age 30 and over).
Which items start in this age range in England?
For example: HPV-only test (with cytology triage if positive). Guideline: NHS England. Who it is for: Women; ages 25 to 64. How often / doses: every 5 years.
Sources
- Anxiety in Children and Adolescents: Screening (USPSTF Final Recommendation Statement) · Checked:
- MyHealthfinder: Get Your Child Screened for Anxiety · Checked:
- Depression and Suicide Risk in Children and Adolescents: Screening (USPSTF Final Recommendation Statement) · Checked:
- MyHealthfinder: Get Your Teen Screened for Depression · Checked:
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection: Screening (USPSTF Final Recommendation Statement) · Checked:
- MyHealthfinder: Get Tested for HIV · Checked:
- Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Adolescents and Adults: Screening (USPSTF Final Recommendation Statement) · Checked:
- Hypertension in Adults: Screening (USPSTF Final Recommendation Statement) · Checked:
- MyHealthfinder: Get Your Blood Pressure Checked · Checked:
- Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Adults: Screening (USPSTF Final Recommendation Statement) · Checked:
- MyHealthfinder: Testing for Latent Tuberculosis: Questions for the Doctor · Checked:
- Anxiety Disorders in Adults: Screening (USPSTF Final Recommendation Statement) · Checked:
- Depression and Suicide Risk in Adults: Screening (USPSTF Final Recommendation Statement) · Checked:
- Cervical Cancer: Screening (USPSTF Final Recommendation Statement) · Checked:
- MyHealthfinder: Get Screened for Cervical Cancer · Checked:
- Adult Immunization Schedule Notes (Recommendations for Ages 19 Years or Older, United States) · Checked:
- MyHealthfinder: Get Vaccines to Protect Your Health (Adults Ages 19 to 49 Years) · Checked:
- Adult Immunization Schedule by Age (Table 1) · Checked:
- MyHealthfinder: Protect Yourself from Hepatitis B · Checked:
- Shingles Vaccine Recommendations (for healthcare providers) · Checked:
- MyHealthfinder: Get Vaccines to Protect Your Health (Adults Age 50 Years or Older) · Checked:
- Pertussis Vaccination Recommendations (for healthcare providers) · Checked:
- Child Immunization Schedule Notes (Recommendations for Ages 18 Years or Younger, United States) · Checked:
- Polio Vaccine VIS · Checked:
- Polio Vaccine Recommendations (for healthcare providers) · Checked:
- MyHealthfinder: Get Your Pre-teen's Vaccines on Schedule · Checked:
- MyHealthfinder: Get Your Child the HPV Vaccine · Checked:
- Cervical screening: programme overview · Checked:
- Cervical screening: When you'll be invited · Checked:
- Shingles immunisation programme: information for healthcare practitioners · Checked:
- Shingles vaccine · Checked:
- HPV vaccination guidance for healthcare practitioners · Checked:
- HPV vaccine · Checked:
- Complete routine immunisation schedule from 1 September 2026 · Checked:
- Meningococcal ACWY programme: information for healthcare professionals · Checked:
- MenACWY vaccine · Checked:
- 中国流感疫苗预防接种技术指南(2026—2027) · Checked:
- 中国流感疫苗预防接种技术指南(2026—2027)（发布页） · Checked:
- がん予防重点健康教育及びがん検診実施のための指針（令和7年12月24日一部改正） · Checked:
- がん検診について（国立がん研究センター がん情報サービス） · Checked:
- がん予防重点健康教育及びがん検診実施のための指針の一部改正について（令和7年12月24日 通知） · Checked:
- Cribado de cáncer de cérvix — Información general (Ministerio de Sanidad) · Checked:
- Real Decreto 1030/2006, de 15 de septiembre, cartera de servicios comunes del SNS — texto consolidado, anexo I apartado 3 (BOE) · Checked:
- Vacunas y Programa de Vacunación — Virus de papiloma humano (Ministerio de Sanidad, ciudadanía) · Checked:
- Calendario común de vacunación e inmunización a lo largo de toda la vida. Calendario recomendado año 2026 (aprobado por el CISNS el 12 de diciembre de 2025) · Checked:
- Vacunas y Programa de Vacunación — Enfermedad meningocócica invasiva (Ministerio de Sanidad, ciudadanía) · Checked:
- Detecção precoce — Controle do câncer do colo do útero (INCA, Ministério da Saúde) · Checked:
- Diretrizes Brasileiras para o Rastreamento do Câncer do Colo do Útero: Parte I — Rastreamento organizado utilizando testes moleculares para detecção de DNA-HPV oncogênico (Portaria Conjunta SAES/SECTICS nº 13/2025) · Checked:
- Instrução Normativa do Calendário Nacional de Vacinação 2026 (Ministério da Saúde, DPNI/SVSA) · Checked:
- Calendário Nacional de Vacinação (Ministério da Saúde) · Checked:
- NIDDK: Prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia) · Checked:
- NIDCD: Quick statistics about hearing · Checked:
- CDC: Infertility frequently asked questions · Checked:
- WHO fact sheet: Road traffic injuries · Checked:
- WHO fact sheet: Suicide · Checked:
- WHO fact sheet: Alcohol · Checked:
- NIMH: Mental illness statistics · Checked:
- NHS: What is testicular cancer? · Checked:
- CDC: About the Bring Your Brave campaign · Checked:
- NHS: Physical activity guidelines for adults · Checked:
- CDC: About sleep · Checked:
- nidirect (Northern Ireland government): Alcohol units · Checked:
- WHO fact sheet: Healthy diet · Checked:
- CDC: Current cigarette smoking among adults in the United States · Checked:
- NHS: Stroke symptoms · Checked:
- NHS: Heart attack symptoms · Checked:
- NHS: Testicular lumps and swellings · Checked:
- NICE NG246 Overweight and obesity management: Identifying and assessing overweight, obesity and central adiposity · Checked:
- Skin Cancer Prevention: Behavioral Counseling (USPSTF Final Recommendation Statement) · Checked:
- Screening and Testing for Hepatitis B Virus Infection: CDC Recommendations — United States, 2023 (MMWR Recomm Rep 72(1)) · Checked:
- 健康に配慮した飲酒に関するガイドライン（厚生労働省） · Checked:
Material adapted from the US Preventive Services Task Force has not been reviewed or endorsed by AHRQ or HHS.
Source: website of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan (the pages listed above), adapted by Age Flags.
Figures are restated from the publishers listed above; the original guidelines remain theirs. Some content contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Adapted content has not been reviewed or endorsed by the original publishers.
Emergency and crisis lines
United States
Emergency 911 Emergency services (United States) · Source
Crisis line 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (United States) · Available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. · Source
United Kingdom
Emergency 999 NHS England · Source
Health advice 111 NHS England · Source
Crisis line 116 123 Samaritans · Open 24 hours a day. · Source
China
Emergency 120 National Health Commission (China) · Source
Crisis line 12356 National Health Commission (China) · Each line provides at least 18 hours of service a day under the national notice; hours vary by city. · Source
Japan
Emergency 119 Fire and Disaster Management Agency (Japan) · Source
Crisis line 0120‑061‑338 #いのちSOS (Lifelink) · Open 24 hours a day, every day (free call). · Source
Crisis line 0120‑279‑338 Yorisoi Hotline · Open 24 hours a day (free call). · Source
Spain
Emergency 112 Emergency services (Spain) · Source
Crisis line 024 Ministerio de Sanidad (Spain) · Free and confidential, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. · Source
Brazil
Emergency 192 Ministério da Saúde (Brazil) · Source
Crisis line 188 CVV — Centro de Valorização da Vida · Free, 24 hours a day, anywhere in Brazil. · Source
Elsewhere, call your local emergency number.