Poland has launched a new free preventive health programme, ‘Moje Zdrowie’, which offers all Polish adults over the age of twenty access to comprehensive screenings. The programme was introduced by a regulation from the Ministry of Health and is designed to encourage more Poles to undergo regular health checks.
Replacing the ‘Profilaktyka 40 Plus’ scheme, the new initiative extends eligibility to younger adults and aims to provide a new incentive for preventive care, catching health risks before they become serious.
The focus is on boosting early detection of cardiovascular, metabolic, and oncological diseases.
“From a public health perspective, the most important thing is that preventive actions truly deliver measurable health benefits,” national public health consultant Prof. Łukasz Balwicki from Medical University of Gdansk told Euractiv.
He explained that while the new programme may partly address this need, regular testing alone is not enough to improve population health.
Simple steps, personalised care
A major advantage of the new programme is the simplicity of participation. The first step involves answering a health questionnaire, which can be completed by a doctor, nurse, midwife, prevention specialist or independently via the Internet Patient Account (IKP). This in-depth survey covers lifestyle, risk factors for cardiovascular and oncological diseases, family history, education, and living environment.
Sample questions include: “Do you engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week?” and “Do you currently smoke cigarettes?”
The questionnaire also addresses mental health, for example: “In the past two weeks, have you experienced feelings of depression, low mood, or hopelessness?”
For individuals over sixty, there are three additional questions aimed at screening for dementia.
Once completed, the questionnaire generates a set of recommended tests tailored to the patient’s age and health status. The healthcare facility then has thirty days to contact the patient.
New check-up routine for adults
The basic package for every participant in the ‘Moje Zdrowie’ programme includes a range of laboratory tests: blood count, glucose, creatinine (with eGFR), lipid profile (total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides), TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), and a general urine analysis. Depending on age and questionnaire results, additional preventive tests may be offered as part of an extended package.
Patients over 50 will also be offered a faecal immunochemical test (FIT-OC) to screen for hidden blood in stool, and everyone will receive an individual vaccination calendar and a list of recommended health interventions, such as educational counselling.
Health Minister Izabela Leszczyna noted that while regular check-ups are routine for children and adolescents, adults often neglect their own health. “That is why we are now introducing a health balance for adults as well,” she said in a statement from the Ministry of Health.
For those aged 20 to 49, the health check is available once every five years; for those over 49, once every three years. It is also required that at least 12 months have passed since the last ‘Profilaktyka 40 Plus’ check-up.
Expert viewpoint
According to Prof. Balwicki, while the greatest health impact could be achieved by reaching those most at risk, who are often least likely to participate, the preventive programme is largely aimed at young, generally healthy adults.
Balwicki highlighted, however, that one of the programme’s key advantages is the follow-up consultation, where patients discuss their results with a doctor or nurse.
According to the details of the programme, during this visit, blood pressure, heart rate, weight, height, waist and hip circumference are to be measured, and BMI and WHR are to be calculated.
Global cardiovascular risk is also to be assessed, and those over sixty are to have their cognitive functions tested.
Based on this, patients receive an analysis of their laboratory and questionnaire results, an Individual Health Plan outlining risk factors and lifestyle recommendations, an individual vaccination schedule, and a list of recommended preventive interventions.
“We know that encouraging people to care for their health, to eat better, be physically active, and reduce alcohol and tobacco use is crucial for prevention,” Balwicki told Euractiv. However, in his view, “If we give someone advice about lifestyle, we need to check after some time whether they have changed.”
At present, the programme lacks a plan for further follow-up visits. “It is unclear how, or even if, the implementation and effectiveness of these recommendations will be assessed, and if not, why,” he said, adding that “patients should also feel that we continue to take an interest in them.”
[Edited by Vasiliki Angouridi, Brian Maguire]