wellness
Your Guide to Free and Low-Cost Preventive Health Services in El Paso
From well-child visits to cancer screenings, here’s how to access affordable wellness care at local clinics and public health centers.
How we reported this
El Paso residents looking to stay on top of their health without breaking the bank have several affordable options, ranging from free immunizations and screening events to low-cost primary care visits. The City of El Paso Department of Public Health, along with local health plans, provides a range of preventive services designed to catch potential problems early and keep families healthy.
Where to Go for Low-Cost Checkups
The CommUnity Care Center, located at 5115 El Paso Dr, Suite B, is a key city-run facility offering comprehensive preventive health services. According to the City of El Paso Department of Public Health, the center provides family planning, STD testing, and TB screening, all at reduced or no cost for eligible residents. For routine primary care, including annual wellness visits, many local clinics accept sliding-scale fees based on income. Sources include (but not limited to): El Paso Health Winter 2025 Newsletter and City of El Paso Public Health.
Preventive Screenings for Adults
Adults in El Paso should schedule annual wellness visits that include vital signs, BMI tracking, mental health screenings, and lifestyle assessments. Age-appropriate cancer screenings are also covered: mammograms are recommended starting at age 40, and colonoscopy screening begins at age 45. These screenings are available through primary care providers affiliated with El Paso Health and other local health plans. Preventive care is divided into primary prevention, like immunizations and lifestyle counseling, and secondary prevention, such as early detection of prediabetes, high cholesterol, or early-stage cancer through scheduled lab work and screenings. Sources include (but not limited to): UMC Care’s 2026 Health Checklist and El Paso Health Winter 2026 Member Newsletter.
Children’s Preventive Services
For families with young children, El Paso Health provides age-specific routine preventive services guidelines for infants and children up to 24 months. These include immunizations aligned with ACIP standards, newborn screenings, and a dental referral starting at six months. Parents can contact their pediatrician or the CommUnity Care Center to schedule well-child visits and ensure their child is up to date on vaccines. Sources include (but not limited to): El Paso Health Routine Preventive Services Guideline.
Public Health Priorities: Obesity and Diabetes Prevention
El Paso’s public health department has identified obesity prevention as a key priority, as of 2010, 31.8% of adults in the city had a BMI of 30 or higher, which qualifies as obese. That figure has driven efforts to expand diabetes prevention programs and nutrition counseling. Residents can call (915) 212-6643 for more information about classes and support services. Sources include (but not limited to): El Paso Health Provider Quarterly Orientation 2021 and City of El Paso Public Health Education & Promotion.
For anyone unsure where to start, a call to a primary care clinic or the CommUnity Care Center can connect you with sliding-scale services, free vaccine events, and health education workshops. Preventive care doesn’t have to wait for a crisis, and in El Paso, low-cost options are within reach.