Search

In Poland, there are numerous diversity in the field of population health. They are often linked not only to socio-economic status but also to location. The disparities occur between regions as well as within regions. The disparities occur between regions as well as within regions. Eliminating these disproportions is also the responsibility of public authorities in the field of, for example, spatial policy in order to improve the living conditions of the community, including improving the health of the population. The aim of this study is to attempt to determine whether there are differences in health in spatial terms, especially differences between cities with county rights, in connection with health programs implemented by these cities. For the purposes of this study, we analyzed health policy programs that received a positive or conditionally positive opinion from the President of the Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tariffication and were implemented in the year 2020. The findings have demonstrated significant variations in the number of health programs both between regions and within individual regions, underscoring the need for a nuanced and tailored approach to public health strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a previous report we answered a number of questions by the editors about the Dutch strategic policy in the first half year of the SARS-CoV-2 cri- sis. In the present paper we reply to a number of additional questions of the editors about the steps put by the Dutch policy during the second half of 2020, when the SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 pandemic developed its second wave. Especially, the awareness of an upcoming second and third epidemic waves, the specific preventive actions and measures taken by the government and the changing compliance and trust of the public in the government’s strategy are described. Actions such as the Dutch test strategy, the division of regional vs national competences, partial and complete lockdowns, and cooperation with other member states and the (or their lack) are also briefly treated. Specific temporary and structural adjustments in the public health and health care system are mentioned. No hard conclusions or qualifications about the adequacy of the Dutch public health and health care policy are drawn. Nevertheless, in retro- spect it is clear that a straightforward, focussed and highly effective strategy in this unprecedented crisis by a new and dangerous and rapidly mu- tating virus is a great challenge for every country. Many things go well, but many more could or should have be done better. We have to learn, also from each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the information on COVID-19 policy response in Italy in in the second half of 2020, when the second wave of the pandemic occurred. It builds on the authors previous report that addressed the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Italy, from October till December, the number of SARS-CoV-2 infections increased significantly. However, the Italian government, unlike many other European governments, re- frained from introducing a second nationwide lockdown. The pandemic was managed through a system of localized interventions (on a regional andor provincial basis) which significantly varied across the regions. At the end of December 2020, a national plan for vaccination against COVID-19 was approved. In February 2021, together with the change of government, a new public policy against the COVID-19 pandemic was formulated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Epidemiological Review / Przegląd Epidemiologiczny is the property of National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Epidemiological Review / Przegląd Epidemiologiczny is the property of National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of the article is to analyse and evaluate the importance of the profession of dietetics in the Polish health care system. Reason for taking research is the global obesity epidemic and the dysfunctionality of the existing system regulation of the profession dietitian in Poland compared with other countries. The existing system of legal and organizational solutions are a major barrier to access by persons with diet-related diseases to necessary medical services or completely prevent you from using them. They cause a lot of other negative health, social and economic effect. Analysis were activities of individual entities that create market for dietary services taking into account the most important public health problems and directions of contemporary health policy. The summary contains the postulate of organizational and functional restructuring of the health care system, involving the inclusion of nutritionists to the system in a wider range. The postulate is part of a recommended modern model of comprehensive health care. Its goal is not only to extend the scope of health services, the reorganization and rationalization of human resources available to the sector, but also to improve the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of the system and increase satisfaction recipients and providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focus on Health Impact Assessment (HIA) as an important approach in health policy and public health to evaluate policies, plans, projects, strategies and to determine their actual and potential impacts on health and distribution of health effects among general population. HIA provides decision makers, health professionals and the general public with evidence-based information resources on health effects of decision-making process. The aim of this consideration is to present the usefulness and need for HIA within policy and decision-making. Selected case studies concerning key areas of public authorities activities are presented based on projects findings and literature review. There are significant evidences of strong relations between health outcomes and policy-making process. Policy may influence the determinants of the health of the population through environmental, socio-economic, cultural, living and working conditions. The Health Impact Assessment is useful tool of identification and highlighting the health issues beyond the health-care sector, i.e.: urban planning, infrastructure, transport, housing, agriculture, industry, environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public debate concerning Poles health, accessibility to health care services, long time waiting lists for the most emerging medical services, namely ontological treatment, as well as many other fundamental healthcare system question, due to the hot period of political elections, became much more visible in last months. Politicians have to tackle such issues under Polish citizens pressure however this particular group influence seems to be underestimated. The complexity of problems, differentiated and multiplicity of health needs, accompanied with very intensive development of medical sciences and technologies on one hand and the economical rationalization on second hand constitute the unavoidable conditions in the sphere of choices that cannot be disregarded. This difficult and politically risky process, strongly dependent on interrelations between different interests groups - with the political parties amongst them - starts at the stage of political programs creation. The article goal is to describe and evaluate particular political parties programs in this sphere, aiming at the possible future scenario concerning dimensions of health policy and public health in Poland. The paper constitutes an attempt of comparative analysis in the sphere described above, showing the frames of national. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on the activities of local governments in western Poland with respect to preventive health care in the years 1919-1939 (a key period during which the organizational basis of Poland’s modern public health care system developed). The author notes the regulations and statutory responsibilities regarding public health of the community, district and voivodeship in the years 1919-1939, and she presents the challenges related to the organization of and functioning of local government health care systems in three annexed areas of former Prussian territory (the voivodeships of Poznań and Polish Pomerania). Delivery of health care depended on the organizational solutions then in force and on the existing hospital base and financial capabilities of local government.