Teen & Adolescent Health Screening

Overview

The teenage years bring big changes – in the body, at school, with friends and at home. A teen health check is a chance to make sure growth and development are on track, and to talk about anything that's worrying your child.

Most teenagers are healthy, so this visit is less about lots of blood tests and more about a good conversation, a simple examination and making sure vaccines are up to date.

It's also a chance for your teen to get to know a doctor they can trust, so they feel comfortable coming back if something comes up later.

Who may want to understand this screening

This check is for young people from about 10 to 18 years old. It's useful before starting secondary school, before sports, or simply if it's been a while since their last check-up.

Mental health matters just as much as physical health. The World Health Organization (WHO) says about one in seven 10–19-year-olds experience a mental health condition, and many go unnoticed. The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for anxiety from age 8 to 18, and for depression from age 12 to 18.

WHO also recommends HPV vaccination for all girls aged 9–14, ideally before they become sexually active, to protect against cervical cancer later in life.

If your teen has symptoms, don't wait for a check-up. See a doctor soon for things like ongoing low mood or withdrawal, sudden weight loss or gain, tiredness that doesn't improve, or any talk of self-harm.

What screening may involve

We start by talking – about sleep, eating, exercise, school, friends, mood and home life. Many doctors use a structured chat called a HEADSSS assessment (home, education, eating, activities, drugs, sexuality, safety and suicide or depression). WHO's school health guideline includes this as part of adolescent care.

The doctor then checks height, weight and body mass index (BMI), which for teens is compared with charts for age and sex. Blood pressure and eyesight are usually checked too, and we review the vaccination record.

Blood or urine tests are not needed for every teen. The doctor may suggest them only if there's a reason – for example, a family history of diabetes or high cholesterol, heavy periods that could cause anaemia, or symptoms that need looking into.

What screening can — and cannot — tell you

A teen check can pick up things like vision problems, raised blood pressure, weight concerns or early signs of anxiety or depression, so help can start early.

A short questionnaire about mood is a starting point, not a diagnosis. If it raises concerns, the doctor will talk it through and plan the next steps with you and your teen.

A normal check doesn't mean nothing can go wrong later. Teenagers change quickly, so keep an eye out for new symptoms or changes in behaviour and come back if you're worried.

More tests aren't always better. Testing without a clear reason can give confusing or borderline results that lead to worry and extra tests without real benefit.

Practical considerations

No fasting is needed unless the doctor has planned a specific blood test. Please bring your child's vaccination record (the child health book is ideal), glasses if they wear them, and a list of any medicines or supplements.

For part of the visit, the doctor may ask to speak with your teen on their own. This is normal and helps young people talk openly. Information is kept private, except where there is a serious safety concern.

If anything needs follow-up – such as an eye referral, a catch-up vaccine or support for mood – the doctor will explain the plan and when to come back.

Sources
1. WHO guideline on school health services — World Health Organization, 2021
2. Mental health of adolescents (fact sheet) — World Health Organization, 2025
3. Anxiety in Children and Adolescents: Screening — US Preventive Services Task Force, 2022
4. Depression and Suicide Risk in Children and Adolescents: Screening — US Preventive Services Task Force, 2022
5. Cervical cancer (fact sheet) — World Health Organization, 2026