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Preventive health screenings at key life stages

Find out all about the new “My Prevention Checkup” program, which is available to everyone to help them assess their health at key stages of life.

Preventive Health Checkups: What Are They?

My Prevention Checkup is a new personalized program that allows individuals to discuss their lifestyle habits (diet, sleep, physical activity, mental health, sexual health, etc.) with a healthcare professional at certain key ages. The goal is to better identify risk factors for disease and encourage everyone to take charge of their own health by adopting healthy behaviors.

This program is led by the Ministry of Health and the National Health Insurance, with support from Santé publique France. It is part of the 2023–2033 National Health Strategy.

Preventive health screenings are available to everyone at key life stages: ages 18 to 25; 45 to 50; 60 to 65; and 70 to 75. They are fully covered by Medicare, with no out-of-pocket costs. Please note: Only one preventive health screening per age group may be performed.

Preventive health screenings can be conducted by various healthcare professionals, including doctors, pharmacists, midwives, or nurses.

For more information, healthcare professionals can visit the section dedicated to them on the website of the Ministry of Labor, Health, and Solidarity.

Preventive health assessments are designed to help people understand and modify the behaviors that affect their health and, ultimately, live longer, healthier lives. They provide an opportunity to take stock of one’s health, lifestyle, and health priorities in order to receive advice tailored to one’s situation and age, and, above all, to receive guidance and support in incorporating these changes into daily life. They also help combat social health inequalities by promoting prevention and health promotion among vulnerable populations and/or those who are disconnected from the healthcare system through “outreach” approaches that bring professionals closer to these communities and “bring them back” to healthcare providers and prevention services.

This is a 30- to 45-minute appointment with the appropriate healthcare professional. It consists of three steps:

  1. Scheduling an appointment with a qualified healthcare professional;

  2. Prior to the appointment, the individual fills out a self-assessment questionnaire regarding their lifestyle habits, major risk factors, etc. This step is optional, however;

  3. During the appointment, the healthcare professional: - discusses the person’s lifestyle habits to determine their priorities together;- provides advice tailored to the person’s situation and age;- works with the person to develop a personalized prevention plan to help them adopt healthier lifestyle habits...

Learn more about the steps to take to undergo a preventive health assessment

What support does Santé publique France provide for the implementation of this program?

Santé publique France adopts a population-based approach across all stages of life, following the model defined by the World Health Organization known as the Life Course Approach to Health1, with the aim of promoting healthy aging throughout the lifespan. Developing a life-course approach is a priority for the agency and offers an inspiring vision for more equitable public health. Indeed, factors that influence individuals’ health before birth, during the early years of life, and later in life can have a cumulative effect on their health. This approach places significant emphasis on certain key periods as well as transition phases and is integrated into the preventive health screening program.

1 World Health Organization (WHO), Regional Office for Europe. The Minsk Declaration. Adopting a life-course perspective in the context of Health 2020. Copenhagen: WHO, 2020: 10 p.

Understanding the health status of different generations as they age is essential for developing appropriate preventive measures. The research conducted by Santé publique France therefore provides data on the health status of populations and their preventive behaviors at different ages. These findings were utilized as part of the preparatory work for the implementation of preventive health screenings. This work particularly highlighted the need to pay special attention to midlife prevention, which represents a window of opportunity that has been underestimated in prevention efforts to date, as public policies have most often focused on the two extremes of life: early childhood and old age.

To access data, studies, and research related to the different age groups covered by the preventive health screenings:

Santé publique France is participating in the training program offered by the School of Advanced Studies in Public Health (EHESP), in partnership with the National College of General Practitioner Educators (CNGE) and the University College of Public Health Educators (CUESP).

A webinar presenting the program to healthcare professionals was held in October 2023 with the support of Santé publique France: watch the recording.

An online training platform is also available: access the platform.

Several modules help users familiarize themselves with the program, the procedures for conducting the assessment, the skills required, and the tools made available to professionals. Module 2 presents the resources made available by Santé publique France.

As part of preventive health screenings, several preventive resources are made available to support healthcare professionals in their practice. These resources can be provided to and shared with their patients.

Information Materials

Santé publique France offers a wide range of informational materials on the various prevention topics covered during prevention checkups. These materials (flyers, postcards, brochures, posters) are available online, can be downloaded, or can be ordered in print.

Thematic informational websites

There are also several informational websites aimed at the general public on various prevention topics. These sites provide concrete answers to frequently asked questions, as well as practical advice for incorporating healthier habits into daily life.

Remote support

Remote support services combine phone hotlines and websites, offering extensive availability. They provide the public with personalized answers and support (by phone or online via chat services, Q&As, forums, etc.). They can also refer individuals to appropriate care facilities, serving as a bridge to the healthcare system.

Some websites also feature a section specifically dedicated to healthcare professionals, where they can find scientific references and tools to assist them in their practice.

Addressing social inequalities in health is a key priority for Santé publique France. To help people who are not actively engaged with the healthcare and prevention system access information, Santé publique France, in partnership with professionals and organizations, has developed tailored materials to introduce the “Mon bilan prévention” program using simple and practical information.

A flyer and an educational video presentation are available for download and have been translated into several languages. A brochure and a poster—available online and by request for outreach professionals and volunteers—are also provided to give them guidance on promoting preventive health screenings at key ages among their target audiences.

List of resources for the general public by topic

Document to be given to the individual during or at the end of the assessment

  • Remote healthcare assistance - useful contacts

Remote support service

  • Fil santé jeunes (funded by Santé publique France): support, listening, information, and guidance for young people aged 12 to 25. Tel: 0 800 235 236 - 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., 7 days a week (service and calls are anonymous and free).

Website

  • vaccination-info-service.fr: an informational website for the general public and healthcare professionals, providing factual, practical, and scientifically validated information to answer the most common questions about vaccinations.

Document to be given to the patient during the appointment or at the end of the consultation

  • Individual vaccination record for adolescents and adults

  • Postcard with the simplified 2024 vaccination schedule

Poster

  • Vaccination: Are You Up to Date? Simplified 2024 Vaccination Schedule

  • Vaccines for all ages, 2024 schedule

Video for waiting room screens, pharmacies

Remote Support Service

  • alccol-info-service.fr: an information, support, counseling, and referral service for people struggling with alcohol and their loved ones. Accessible to everyone online or by phone, it offers advice on reducing or stopping alcohol consumption, tools to assess drinking habits such as the alcohol meter, and interactive features (Q&A service, forums, chats). It provides access to the national directory of specialized addiction treatment facilities. Tel: 0 980 980 930 - 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., 7 days a week (anonymous and free service + no surcharge).

Tools for professionals

  • AUDIT questionnaire (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test) – identifies problematic drinking in 10 questions

  • FACE questionnaire (Fast Alcohol Consumption Evaluation) – identifies problematic drinking in five questions

Document to give to the patient during the appointment or at the end of the assessment

  • What Do You Know About Alcohol? (brochure for young people)

  • What Do You Know About Alcohol? (brochure for young people in the French overseas departments and regions)

  • Understanding Alcohol (brochure)

  • Living Better with Less Alcohol (flyer)

  • No alcohol during pregnancy (leaflet)

Poster

Telephone Helpline

  • drogues-info-service.fr: an information, support, counseling, and referral service for people struggling with drug use and their loved ones. Accessible to everyone via the internet or by phone, it offers personalized information and advice, interactive features (Q&A service, forums, chats), and provides a national directory of specialized addiction treatment centers. Phone: 0 800 23 13 13 - 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., 7 days a week (anonymous and free service and calls).

Poster

  • alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, video games, tobacco: to talk about it and get the facts, click here

Telephone Support Service

  • tabac-info-service.fr: a service providing information, advice, and support for quitting smoking. It offers: - a website with advice and assessments to evaluate your addiction, a Q&A section and testimonials, and a directory of smoking cessation clinics; - a smartphone app with free, personalized coaching; - free telephone support provided by smoking cessation specialists.Phone: 39 89 - 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday - free service plus the cost of a call. Accessible to people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or aphasic via the Acceo platform.

Tools for professionals

Document to give to the patient during the appointment or after the assessment

Videos for screens in the waiting room and pharmacy

Poster

Remote Assistance Service

  • joueurs-info-service.fr: an information, support, counseling, and referral service for individuals struggling with their gambling habits and their loved ones. Accessible to everyone via the internet or phone, it offers personalized information and advice, interactive features (Q&A service, forums, chats), and provides a national directory of specialized addiction treatment centers. Phone: 09 74 75 13 13 - 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., 7 days a week (anonymous and free service + no surcharge).

Resources for Professionals

Website

  • manger-bouger.fr: information on nutrition, offering tools and advice for eating better and being more active, as well as numerous recipes

Tools for professionals

Document/link to give to the patient during the appointment or after the assessment

Poster

Website

  • questionsexualite.fr: a portal dedicated to sexuality for all French people. With simple, detailed content validated by experts, it helps you find answers to the questions you have.

Remote support service

  • Sida Info Service (funded by Santé publique France): information, support, guidance, and prevention regarding HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections. Tel: 0 800 840 800 – 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., 7 days a week (anonymous and free service and calls).

  • Ligne Azur (funded by Santé publique France): listening, support, information, and guidance for anyone with questions about their sexual orientation, and for their loved ones. Tel: 01 41 83 42 81 - 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., 7 days a week (anonymous and free service + no surcharge on calls).

Document to be given to the patient during the appointment or at the end of the evaluation

Poster

Website

  • psycom.org: information on mental health and psychiatry. This leading website provides information on mental disorders, psychiatric care, medications, and more.

  • Santementale-info-service.fr: national reference site on mental health. This site informs the general public about various aspects of mental health and positions it as an essential component of overall health.

Remote support service

  • phare.org (funded by Santé publique France): support and listening services for parents dealing with their children’s mental distress and suicide. Tel: 01 43 46 00 62 – Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (anonymous and free service + no surcharge on calls).

  • sos-amitie.com (funded by Santé publique France): a service offering a listening ear to people in distress. Anonymity and confidentiality guaranteed. Tel: 09 72 39 40 50 - 24/7 (anonymous and free service + no surcharge).

  • sos-suicide-phenix.org (funded by Santé publique France): support and listening for people in distress or facing suicide. Tel: 01 40 44 46 45 - 1:00 PM to 11:00 PM, 7 days a week (anonymous and free service + no surcharge).

  • suicide-ecoute.org (funded by Santé publique France): support for people experiencing severe psychological distress or facing suicide, as well as their loved ones. Tel: 01 45 39 40 00 - 24/7 (anonymous and free service + no surcharge).

  • lestransmetteurs.org/soscrise (funded by Santé publique France): medical, psychological, and social support service offering information, assistance, and guidance. Tel: 0800 19 00 00 - 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. - 7 days a week (free service and call).

Poster

List of resources accessible to vulnerable individuals and those with limited access to information

These communication materials take into account the needs of all audiences, including those in vulnerable situations or with disabilities, regardless of their level of health literacy. Some tools address specific needs: LSF videos, Braille documents available for order, and documents translated into multiple languages. All of these materials were developed in collaboration with the target audiences, professionals, and organizations. Additional materials will be made available in the fourth quarter of 2024.

To inform and support people in vulnerable situations

Find all presentation materials for the "My Prevention Assessment" program in the "Information Accessible to All" section.

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