Young children to undergo pregnancy testing
In a significant move aimed at improving the health of youth, the Russian government has established a new policy for preventive reproductive health examinations for children. The policy, outlined in Order No. 796 dated May 30, 2025, marks a strategic shift towards early intervention in health monitoring and education for reproductive health.
The new policy will be implemented in Russian medical institutions starting September 1, 2025. State Duma deputy and medical doctor Veronika Vlasova, who made these statements as reported by RIA Novosti, emphasised the need for early detection and prevention of reproductive health issues.
The age threshold for these checks has been lowered to include children as young as six years old. Examinations will be conducted several times during childhood, with annual checks starting from the age of 13. This change is a response to the deteriorating reproductive health indicators among youth in Russia, a concern that Vlasova has highlighted.
Poor ecology, unbalanced nutrition, and chronic stress in children are identified as risk factors that negatively impact the development of reproductive health. Reproductive system disorders are increasingly being detected in adolescents, making it crucial to start preventive care earlier.
Vlasova has stated that many congenital and acquired issues can already be detected in preschool age, making the age of 14 a missed opportunity. Under the new rules, examinations will be conducted annually from the age of 13.
These reproductive health checks are not invasive procedures. The new system is focused on prevention and early diagnosis to support the health of future generations. The policy move is part of Russia's broader effort to ensure non-discriminatory and accessible reproductive health services across age groups.
In a separate statement, Veronika Vlasova urged men to gift their partners with pregnancy on International Women's Day. Under the new rules, Russian women will be giving consent for abortions.
The goal of this policy is to detect abnormalities early for effective correction, reflecting a strategic shift to intervene earlier in health monitoring and education for reproductive health. This change aligns with broader governmental health initiatives focused on improving reproductive health outcomes and supporting children’s long-term well-being.
- The policy shift towards early intervention in health monitoring and education for reproductive health in Russia extends to policy-and-legislation, specifically mental-health, as Veronika Vlasova emphasized the need for early detection and prevention of reproductive health issues.
- As Russia's new policy on preventive reproductive health examinations for children aims to improve the health-and-wellness of youth, it is aligned with science and general-news reporting on deteriorating reproductive health indicators among youth, highlighting the importance of early intervention and preventive care.
- The new policy on preventive reproductive health examinations for children, which covers children as young as six, is part of Russia's broader effort to ensure non-discriminatory and accessible reproductive health services across age groups, or in political terms, a commitment to policy-and-legislation supporting children's long-term well-being.
