Longevity Medicine
What Is Preventive Medicine?
Last reviewed: May 2026 · Haute MD Editorial Team
Preventive medicine is the branch of medicine focused on maintaining health and preventing disease, disability, and premature death rather than treating existing conditions. It encompasses primary prevention (preventing disease from occurring), secondary prevention (early detection through screening), and tertiary prevention (managing disease to prevent complications). Preventive medicine forms the foundation of longevity medicine.
Three levels of prevention
Primary: vaccinations, lifestyle modifications, risk factor reduction. Secondary: screening programs (mammography, colonoscopy, coronary calcium score) to detect disease at earliest, most treatable stages. Tertiary: managing established disease to prevent complications and maintain quality of life.
What preventive care a longevity physician provides
Advanced cardiovascular risk assessment beyond standard cholesterol panels, cancer screening tailored to individual risk factors, metabolic health optimization, cognitive health preservation, musculoskeletal health maintenance, and lifestyle medicine.
Why preventive medicine matters
The leading causes of death — cardiovascular disease, cancer, metabolic disease, and neurodegeneration — are all significantly influenced by modifiable risk factors identifiable years to decades before clinical disease develops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is preventive medicine covered by insurance?
Basic preventive care is covered under the ACA with no cost sharing. Advanced preventive diagnostics (full-body MRI, advanced lipid panels, genetic testing) are typically not covered.
How is preventive medicine different from concierge medicine?
Preventive medicine is a medical specialty. Concierge medicine is a practice model. Many concierge physicians practice preventive medicine, but the terms refer to different things.
What is a preventive medicine physician?
A physician board-certified by the American Board of Preventive Medicine after completing a dedicated preventive medicine residency. However, many internists and longevity physicians practice preventive medicine without this specific certification.
At what age should you start seeing a preventive medicine specialist?
The earlier the better. Risk factor identification in your 30s and 40s is significantly more impactful than starting in your 60s. It is never too late to benefit.
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Longevity Medicine · Miami Beach, FL
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Longevity Medicine · New York, NY
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Dr. Steven Victor
Regenerative Medicine Specialist
Longevity Medicine · New York, NY
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