Preventive Examinations Also for Adolescents - Hesse's mandatory child health checks now achieve near-perfect attendance rates

In Hesse, parents must take their children to nine mandatory health checks after birth. The system, introduced in 2008, ensures early detection of health or developmental issues. Participation rates have since climbed, with some checks now reaching nearly full attendance.

The first check, known as U1, happens immediately after birth. The final mandatory visit, U9, takes place at age six. Between these, parents receive written invitations starting from U4, along with reminders and potential notifications to the youth welfare office if they fail to attend.

Before the mandatory system, only 85% of children attended these appointments. By 2024, participation in the U4 check reached 100%, while U8 and U9 remained above 95%. To fill the gap between U9 and the later J1 check, two additional visits—U10 (ages seven to eight) and U11 (ages nine to ten)—were added.

The J1 check, for children aged 12 to 14, remains voluntary. In 2023, around 78.5% of eligible children in Hesse attended, totalling roughly 45,000 participants. To increase this number, the state will now send personal invitations to families.

The mandatory check-up system has significantly improved attendance rates in Hesse. With U4 now at 100% participation and U8/U9 above 95%, the focus shifts to encouraging more families to attend the voluntary J1 check. Personal invitations aim to boost numbers further in the coming years.