Lansing, MI - The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), along with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the Michigan Academy of Family Physicians and the Michigan Association of Osteopathic Family Physicians are recognizing March 19-25 as Family Medicine Week in Michigan.
Family medicine is a medical specialty practiced by family physicians. These physicians undergo extensive training to provide comprehensive care for people of all ages.
“Visiting your family physician for regular check-ups and to keep up-to-date on immunizations can help you stay healthy and prevent illness,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. “Having a family doctor helps build a lasting relationship with someone who knows you and your family’s medical history and can treat a variety of medical conditions. We recommend all Michigan residents get a family physician or other primary care provider and keep up with routine medical visits.”
Family Medicine Week highlights family physicians’ dedication to providing comprehensive, coordinated primary care to residents across the state to protect and improve health and wellness and reduce costs to the health care system. Research shows that adults and children with a family physician as their regular source of care have lower annual costs of care, visit the doctor less, are prescribed fewer medications and report less difficulty accessing care.
Family physicians are key partners in Michigan adults and children getting vaccinated against the seasonal flu, COVID-19 and other vaccine-preventable diseases that cause illness and death.
See: Governor Whitmer's Proclamation
To learn more about Michigan Academy of Family Physicians, visit MAFP.com. To learn more about Michigan Association of Osteopathic Family Physicians, visit MAOFP.org.