Preventive Examinations Also for Adolescents - Hesse's Bold Move to Boost Teen Health Check-Ups with Personal Invitations

Hesse is pushing to increase participation in the voluntary J1 youth health check-up for adolescents. Currently, only around 60-65% of eligible teens attend, far below the near-universal rates seen in mandatory early childhood screenings. The state has now introduced personal invitations to encourage more families to take part.

Since 2008, Hesse has required parents to attend at least nine paediatric check-ups (U-Untersuchungen) for children from birth to age six. The first, U1, happens immediately after delivery, while the last, U9, is scheduled at six years old. Participation in these mandatory screenings has been high, with 100% attendance for U4 in 2024 and over 95% for U8 and U9—up from just 85% before the system was introduced.

Parents receive written invitations for each check-up, starting with U4, and reminders if they miss appointments. Those who repeatedly fail to attend face notification of the youth welfare office. To address the gap between early childhood and adolescent screenings, two additional check-ups, U10 and U11, were added between U9 and the voluntary J1.

The J1, aimed at adolescents, remains voluntary, leading to lower uptake. Factors such as reduced parental involvement in teens' healthcare, competing priorities, and lack of awareness about the exam's benefits contribute to the lower participation. The state now hopes personalised invitations will help close this gap.

The new measures aim to lift J1 attendance closer to the high rates seen in mandatory early check-ups. With personal invitations and added screenings, Hesse seeks to ensure more adolescents receive timely health assessments. The focus remains on early detection of potential health or developmental issues.