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Introduction: In this article, selected issues concerning sanitary and epidemiological surveillance in post-war Poland (until 1989) have been described. Sanitary problems which occurred in Poland directly after the Second World War and the development of infectious diseases' epidemiology have been included. Purpose: To summarize the establishment, development and modification of sanitary and epidemiological structures, the introduction of vaccinations as well as other medical means of overcoming infectious diseases, improving people's living conditions and health situation. Materials and methods: Literature related to the topic and archival materials from the Voivodeship Sanitary-Epidemiological Station in Gdansk were used. Archives included a vaccination programme valid between 1975 and 1989 and a two-week specimen report concerning morbidity rates of infectious diseases and chemical poisoning. Results: Thanks to the archival materials, issues concerning infectious diseases were emphasized. The the utilized literature brought out the National Institute's for Public Health role as an authority in the cooperation with other healthcare institutions, influenced the formation and organization of sanitary and epidemiological service in Poland. Conclusions: The historical background of this text has been presented as a secondary subject, however, the years 1945-1989 comprising the time-frame of this article were a period of great changes. One of them was the formation of sanitary and epidemiological surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Proximal femoral fractures are the major cause of hospitalization due to an injury among advanced age patients. Purpose: To analyse causes of femoral neck fractures. Materials and methods: The research material included medical documentation of 203 patients with femoral neck fractures. A research method employed in this study was an analysis of the documentation. A statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test for independence. Results: The majority of women and men sustained an injury at home or on the way (62.5% and 46.2% respectively). Patients who had an injury at work were largely men. Most injuries were related to a disease. It has been observed that women considerably more often than men mentioned slipping as the cause of an injury (21.3% and 6.9% respectively). Men, on the other hand, more often than women incurred injuries as a result of falls (19.4% and 9. 5% respectively). The structure of an injury was similar irrespective of whether patients were diagnosed as having such diseases as diabetes, cataract and osteoporosis or not. Conclusions: There is a relationship between gender and the circumstances of an injury. Women more often sustain an injury at home, and men - at work. The circumstances and causes of injuries are not significantly related to diseases such as diabetes, cataract and osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is expected that during 1980 - 2020 the population of older people worldwide will increase by 240%. The objective of the study was to review strategies undertaken in various countries in association with the ageing of society. This analysis may be used for the selection of actions, which are necessary for the construction and performance of social and health policy in Poland. A method of choice was an analysis of academic literature. The WHO specified health promotion as the most important goal of the policy for seniors. Individual countries adopt many varied strategies of action. In Poland, the introduction of nursing insurance and development of geriatric medicine are primarily proposed. In Japan, the emphasis is placed on enabling the elderly the longest occupational activity possible, and the development of primary health care. For the Swedish, the priority is guaranteed support for family caregivers, while in the United States - an increase in the accessibility of environmental care. There are many strategies developed on an international forum whose purpose is to provide care for the growing number of seniors. The strategies adopted by individual countries are much varied. The basic postulates are a development of geriatric medicine and integration of the systems of health services and social security. The literature lacks reports on the effectiveness of the implemented strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]