Female patient having an antenatal checkup. A female doctor is checking scans on a computer screen.

Prevention and screening

Statutory health insurance providers offer insured parties the opportunity to have examinations to prevent conditions or detect them early. These vary depending on age and gender. What examinations are available? What other useful information is there about vaccinations? What are individual health services (IGeL)? This section contains articles on these and other topics.

Cancer screening: patient undergoing mammography screening. A doctor is standing next to the woman. She is conducting the examination. The X-ray of a breast is visible on a screen.

Early detection of cancer: what examinations are there?

With screening, cancer or certain cancer precursors can be detected before they cause symptoms. The chances of healing thus often improve.

Medical examinations for children and adolescents: small child sitting on a doctor’s couch playing with a stethoscope. A doctor is examining the child carefully.

Health checks for children and adolescents

Health checks are important for the healthy development of children and adolescents. Find out more about U and J check-ups.

Health check-up: woman sitting opposite a doctor. She has a pressure cuff around her arm and is having her blood pressure measured.

Prevention through the health check-up

People with statutory health insurance between the ages of 18 and 34 can get a health check-up as a one-off, and then every 3 years from the age of 35 onwards. Find out here what is involved.

Young woman brushing her teeth whilst looking in the mirror.

Oral hygiene and preventive dental care for healthy teeth

Good oral hygiene and regular visits to a dentist can keep the mouth and teeth healthy and prevent tooth loss.

Vaccinations: a doctor holding a drawn syringe in his hand in front of a patient

Vaccinations: protection against infectious diseases

Vaccinations can help prevent many infectious diseases and their spread. Read on to discover which vaccinations are available and how they work.

IGeL-Leistungen: Ein Arzt sitzt am Schreibtisch und füllt ein Formular aus. Eine Frau mit weißer Bluse steht hinter ihm. Sie hat den rechten Arm vor dem Bauch verschränkt und mit dem anderen Arm macht sie eine Handbewegung in Richtung des Arztes.

IGeL – overview of self-payer services

In Germany, “IGeL” are individual health services that are not normally paid for by statutory health insurance providers.

Infant sitting on a beach having cream rubbed into its back.

UV radiation: why it’s important to protect skin and eyes

Exposure to natural and artificial ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause lasting damage to the skin and eyes. It is the primary risk factor for skin cancer.

Vision in later life: older woman looking straight ahead, lost in thought.

Visual impairment in later life: regular check-ups are important

For many people, vision deteriorates with age. However, effective treatment options are often available. That’s why it’s important to see a doctor regularly.

STDs: man opening a silver pack of condoms. There is a red condom in the pack.

Sexually transmitted infections: how to stay protected

Many people are not aware that there are other sexually transmitted infections besides HIV. With appropriate measures, it is possible to stay protected. Read more about what they are here.