By Hannah Gehrke-Keltgen

When people hear “preventive care,” they often picture a sterile exam room and a long wait. In reality, preventive care is about empowerment and staying well. It helps people feel their best, enjoy life, and address health concerns before they become serious and costly.

For Minnesota cities and their leaders, preventive care is more than a health concept. It is a practical, proven strategy that helps manage rising healthcare costs, reduces long-term financial strain, supports a strong workforce, and strengthens communities.

At its core, preventive care means taking action early through regular checkups, immunizations, lifestyle support, and cancer screenings such as mammograms, colonoscopies, and cervical cancer tests. These services can detect health issues at their earliest stages when treatment is simpler, more effective, and far less disruptive. That is the power of prevention.

Why it matters

The American Cancer Society projects that more than 2 million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in the coming years. Behind each number is an employee, a coworker, a family member, and a community contributor.

The encouraging news is that survival rates continue to improve, largely because cancers are found earlier and treatments keep advancing. Early detection not only saves lives, but also reduces time away from work, lowers treatment costs, and helps people return to their normal routines sooner.

City employees serve in essential roles, from parks and public works to administration and public safety. Healthy employees support reliable city operations and consistent service delivery, while preventable illness can disrupt departments, strain budgets, and impact services.

Prevention is not one size fits all

Preventive care goes beyond an annual exam. It involves coordinated steps to prevent or detect conditions before they become serious.

Based on national screening guidelines, here is a general overview for adults at average risk:

• Breast cancer: Mammograms may begin between ages 40 and 44, with annual screenings recommended for women ages 45 to 54 and every two years starting at 55.
• Colorectal cancer: Screening should begin at age 45 using stool-based tests or colonoscopy.
• Cervical cancer: Screening typically begins at age 25 and continues through age 65 using HPV or Pap tests.
• Lung cancer: Annual low-dose CT scans are recommended for adults ages 50 to 80 with a significant smoking history.

These screenings can detect cancer before symptoms appear, often leading to less invasive treatment and better outcomes.

Making preventive care easier to use

Insurance coverage for preventive services is widely available, yet many adults delay or skip screenings due to time constraints or uncertainty about coverage. Clear, consistent communication can make all the difference.

City leaders can support employees by:

• Sharing timely reminders about recommended screenings.
• Offering flexible scheduling for appointments.
• Partnering with local clinics to host screening events.
• Promoting mental health and lifestyle resources alongside medical care.

Small steps can remove big barriers, and their impact extends well beyond the doctor’s office.

A culture of health beyond the doctor’s office

Prevention extends beyond the clinic. Cities influence health through parks, trails, workplace culture, and community design. Creating environments that encourage activity, healthy eating, social connection, and stress management supports long-term well-being for employees and residents.

Equity in prevention

Equitable access matters. Barriers such as transportation, limited appointment availability, language differences, or discomfort with certain procedures can prevent people from seeking care.

While cities may not control all these factors directly, they play an important role in shaping access and awareness. Partnering with counties and community organizations can support mobile screening events for residents, expand telehealth awareness for employees, and promote flexible, inclusive approaches that reduce barriers to care.

The payoff: Healthier people, stronger cities

Preventive care is not just a health initiative. It is a smart investment.

Cities that prioritize prevention benefit from healthier employees, reduced long-term health costs, and more stable operations. They also send a clear message to their workforce: your health matters.

When city leaders champion preventive care, they are not only reducing risk. They are creating environments where employees can thrive, contribute fully, and build stronger communities.

Hannah Gehrke-Keltgen is the Minnesota Healthcare Consortium Statewide Lead for Wellness (mnhc.gov). The Minnesota Healthcare Consortium is a member of the League’s Business Leadership Council (lmg.org/sponsors).