On this page

1. Policy framework

2. Stakeholders

3. Guidance to stakeholders

4. Target groups

5. Funding

Policy framework

Youth health policies harnessing mechanisms of early detection and signposting of mental problems or illness primarily concern children which, over the first six years of their life, benefit from compulsory prevention examinations that are paid for by the French health insurance system (Assurance Maladie). The results of these examinations are recorded in the personal health record (carnet de santé) which is issued free of charge to all children when their birth is registered so as to keep track of their medical follow-up. Some of these compulsory examinations are organised at school (infant, primary or secondary school) with nurses, doctors, teachers and school counsellors working together.

In France, there are a total of twenty so-called 'compulsory' health examinations, including one at the age of 11-13 and one at the age of 15-16, which are fully covered and without advance payment, according to Article L. 541-1 of the Education Code.

Health review: at age 6

When pupils turn 6, they must attend a medical check-up that tests for and diagnoses anything which might impact their learning capacity (cognitive, physical, linguistic or mental problems). This compulsory examination is stipulated in the Public Health Code (Code de la santé publique) and in the Law of 5 March 2007 on child protection.

Health review: at age 12

The screening appointment in the child's twelfth year (by the nurse) includes:

• An interview with the adolescent particularly about his or her living conditions, perceived health, any difficulties, mental suffering and his or her pubertal development;
• Consideration of any comments gathered from parents and teachers;
• Verification that the child is up-to-date with his or her jabs;
• A growth & development examination;
• Screening of any sight problems;
• Screening of any hearing problems;
• Oral & dental health check;
• Recommendations and advice for the child, tailored depending on his or her questions and the examination's data.

Health review: for students

During their studies at a higher education institution, students may be asked to attend a compulsory prevention appointment organised by the SSEs - University Student Health Services (Service Universitaires de Santé étudiante) at their institution, in accordance with the law. Organisation of this check-up, which covers medical, psychological and social aspects, is not systematic but depends on higher education institutions.

Stakeholders

A great many stakeholders are involved in youth screening and appointment programmes and they usually work together through partnerships. Among the institutions and organisations, it would be worth highlighting the role played by the PMI - Mother & Child Protection (Protection maternelle et infantile) services, by school medical teams and preventive medical teams in higher education institutions (governed by the Ministry of National Education and the Ministry of Higher Education) and by the prevention associations with support from the regional health agencies, which set up measures for screening and signposting mental problems and illness.

The PMI - Mother & Child Protection services

The PMI was created by the Order of 2 November 1945 to combat maternal and infant mortality.  Its services can be found in each département, managed by the local authority, the General Council (Conseil général). They deliver health protection for mothers and infants up to 6 years of age and can provide advice to future parents.

Medical care at school

The remit of National Education doctors is defined in Circular no. 2001-013 of 12-01-2001. They organise individual prevention through health reviews as well as monitoring of school children with special needs. They provide advice about the schooling of disabled children.

Preventive medicine in higher education establishments

Health protection, screening and appointments for students are all carried out by the SSEs (see 7.2 Cross-sectorial cooperation) and help in particular to identify students with disabilities, enabling them to be offered assistance where necessary.

Regional health agencies and associations

Regional health agencies play a role in screening and signposting illness by rolling out national health plans across the regions as well as by supporting and financing prevention associations which promote and organise screenings. One such association in France is Sida info service, which provides advice and information about sexual health, the risks and protection methods.

Local missions (missions locales)

Local missions are community-based public service centres. They are committed to helping 16 to 25 year olds integrate professionally and socially. These structures are recognised by the Law of 26 January 2016 on modernising the French health service as playing a role in identifying young people in particular need of support. Local missions must advance access to social rights, prevention and health care.

These structures are gathered within the National Union of Local Missions (UNML) whose mission is to represent the national network and to form the union of employers of the branch of Local Missions, reception centers, Information and Guidance (PAIO) and other social inclusion organizations.

National health insurance funds

In addition to their recurrent actions (see chapter 4), the CNAMs offer a fully paid preventive health examination for 16-25 year olds.

Guidance to stakeholders

The public authorities carrying out youth advocacy missions produce an array of tools and guides for youth public health stakeholders, similar to the tools of the agency Santé publique France, such as the website Fil santé jeunes and its Youth health portal which provide answers to any health questions young people might ask. The portal brings together practical advice, useful addresses and telephone numbers enabling young people to talk anonymously with professionals, some examples being "Ecoute Cannabis", "Ecoute Alcool" and "Suicide écoute" – hotlines to discuss cannabis, alcohol or suicide concerns respectively.

The Youth health portal also refers to all of the institutional health and well-being promotion and education websites designed particularly for young people, including "Drogue info Service" (drugs) or "Onsexprime" (sexuality).

What is more, the agency Santé publique France also helps to develop associations' communication and promotion tools by subsidising some of their websites - "Sida info service" for example.

The Youth Compass

In order to facilitate young people's access to their rights and public services, the Government has formally launched in 2018 to develop the "The Youth Compass", a digital platform that will eventually enable young people to know the different rights and services available to them, social devices they can claim in their (geographical) environment.

The purpose of this tool is to inform and encourage young people to use their rights and the services, including health services intended for them. The Compass is being deployed throughout the territory. The Health theme is officially deployed in about fifteen Youth Compasses. It is also expected to be deployed in about twenty other Compass centres in 2023.

Target groups

The compulsory health reviews and screenings delivered by the public authorities are for all children and young people attending school, even if more regular attention and monitoring are ensured for children suffering from chronic diseases and young people with disabilities. Screening for sexually transmitted infections is offered to young prisoners because of their increased vulnerability, especially since several Santé publique France epidemiological reports show that the prevalence of such infections seems to be higher among young prisoners than in the general population.

Funding

Public-health policies implemented by the French State are financed through the national budgetary framework known as the “Health” mission, which is voted annually by Parliament. Within this framework, Programme 204 – “Prevention, Health Security and Healthcare Provision” is placed under the responsibility of the Directorate General for Health (DGS). The 2026 Finance Bill (PLF 2026) allocates approximately €213.8 million to Programme 204, confirming the recent reduction in direct State funding for prevention policies.

Programme 204 is organised around several thematic actions, notably:

• population health;
• prevention of chronic diseases and improvement of patients’ quality of life;
• prevention of environmental and food-related risks;
• and health monitoring and health security.

More broadly, health expenditure in France is financed primarily through the compulsory health insurance system, complemented by State funding and contributions from local and regional authorities. At territorial level, departmental councils continue to play an important role in local public-health policies, especially through the Maternal and Child Protection Services (Service de Protection maternelle et infantile - PMI), which are departmental services responsible for preventive consultations and health monitoring for pregnant women, parents and children under six years old.

Certain preventive and medico-social structures are financed through shared arrangements between the State, health insurance and local authorities. For example, Early Medico-Social Action Centres (CAMSP) are financed at 80% by the health insurance system and 20% by departmental councils, unless a different agreement is concluded locally.

At regional level, the Regional Health Agencies (ARS) regularly launch calls for projects and funding campaigns aimed at financing local prevention initiatives implemented by associations, public institutions and local authorities. These schemes are generally targeted at vulnerable populations and territories experiencing social or territorial health inequalities. For example, in 2026 the ARS of the Grand Est region allocated €500,000 to support health-promotion projects carried out through local youth employment centres (Missions Locales), using indicators linked to territorial and social inequalities. Similarly, the ARS of the Martiniquee region and the Prefecture launched a regional call for projects to support local addiction-prevention initiatives targeting young people and other priority groups.