Preventive Examinations Also for Adolescents - Hesse rolls out personal invitations to lift J1 youth health check-up rates

Hesse is taking new steps to boost participation in the voluntary J1 youth health check-up. Last year, nearly 48,000 children attended the examination, but officials now plan to send personal invitations to families. The move aims to raise awareness and increase uptake among 12- to 14-year-olds.

In Hesse, children undergo nine mandatory health check-ups (U-Untersuchungen) from birth to age six. The first (U1) happens immediately after delivery, while the last (U9) takes place around their sixth birthday. Participation rates for these exams remain high, with 100% for U4 and over 95% for U8 and U9 in 2024—up from 85% before the system became compulsory.

Families receive written invitations for each U check-up, followed by reminders if they miss appointments. Persistent non-attendance triggers a notification to the youth welfare office. To fill the gap between U9 and the voluntary J1, two additional check-ups—U10 (ages seven to eight) and U11 (ages nine to ten)—have been introduced, though they are not covered by standard statutory health insurance.

The J1 check-up, designed for 12- to 14-year-olds, saw a 78% participation rate in 2023, with 47,862 children attending. To improve this figure, Hesse now plans to send personalised invitations, mirroring the approach used for earlier mandatory exams.

The new invitation system for the J1 check-up follows the success of mandatory U-Untersuchungen. With higher participation in earlier exams, officials hope to see similar results for older children. The change reflects ongoing efforts to ensure consistent health monitoring across all age groups.