How often should adolescents have well-child visits?

Adolescents should have well-child visits at least once a year as this frequency allows healthcare providers to monitor growth and development, address any health concerns, and offer preventive care, including vaccinations and screenings. These visits are crucial for discussing various age-related issues such as mental health, substance use, nutrition, and sexual health, which can arise during the adolescent years. Regular annual visits help ensure that adolescents receive ongoing care, fostering communication between the child, family, and healthcare provider while establishing a routine for healthcare that can lead to better long-term health outcomes.

Other visit frequencies, like every six months, may be unnecessarily frequent for healthy adolescents without specific concerns, while visits every two years may not provide enough opportunity for timely intervention should issues arise. Addressing health concerns only when they occur can lead to gaps in care, where adolescents might miss preventive measures or fail to receive necessary treatments for conditions that could develop unnoticed over time.