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In 2020 it is estimated that 281 million people were international migrants. Migrants constitute a potentially vulnerable population in terms of facing discrimination, poor living and housing conditions, and insufficient access to healthcare services. Due to the armed conflict in Ukraine in 2022, almost 10 million people crossed the Polish border within a year of the outbreak of the conflict. The objective of this paper is to present the use of primary healthcare services by people migrating from Ukraine to Poland and identify the barriers in access to healthcare by this group of persons. This study used a qualitative research technique in the form of an expert interview using individual in-depth interviews (IDI). The study group consisted of professionally active primary healthcare providers (doctors, nurses, and facility managers) in Poland. Research was carried out in the areas regarding the availability of healthcare, the potential threats and challenges, and possible system solutions. The results showed that the most common cause for doctor's appointments among migrants are respiratory infections, including COVID-19. Many cases were related to back pain, mainly resulting from the physical work of the patients. Additionally, some barriers to access and the provision of healthcare services for patients from Ukraine were identified. The majority (75%) of respondents indicated language as a significant barrier when providing services. Based on the study results, we recommend creating a dedicated website and telephone hotline for this group of persons as well as the use of traditional media to distribute information about access to healthcare services. It is also essential to focus on assistance for older people, since they may experience more difficulties with language and navigating the healthcare system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths around the world. The main risk factor associated with development of this disease is smoking, with about 80% of lung cancer deaths being related to smoking. However, non-smokers can also develop lung cancer due to an exposure to other harmful substances such as asbestos, radon and other carcinogens. The aim of our study is to present the trends and most recent studies aimed at lung cancer screening. Further research aimed at screening and smoking cessation interventions is recommended. Lung cancer is the leading cause of death among all the oncological diseases worldwide. This applies to both women and men; however, the incidence and mortality among women is on the rise. In 2020, lung cancer was responsible for 1.8 million deaths (18%). More than 90% of lung cancer cases and 77.1% of lung cancer deaths occur in countries with high and very high HDI (human development index) values. The aim of our study is to the present trends and most recent studies aimed at lung cancer screening. In the face of the persistently high mortality rate, conducting research aimed at extending already-implemented diagnostic algorithms and behavioural interventions focused on smoking cessation is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Objective. Cancer triggers many negative emotions in patients which affect the quality of life and low acceptance of the illness. The level of acceptance of illness is related to the level of pain and the degree of compliance with medical recommendations. The aim of the study is evaluation of the use of the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS) among people with cancer. Materials and Method. The study involved 1,187 patients (666 women aged 21-96 (M=58.17; SD=12.88) and 521 men aged 22-96 (M=67.12; SD=13.75) diagnosed with malignant cancer under outpatient care of the Maria Sklodowska-Curie Institute - Oncology Center in Warsaw. An acceptance of illness questionnaire developed by B. J. Felton, T. A. Revensson and G. A. Hinrichsen was used. Results. Socio-economic (education, place of residence, income, professional status) and medical (occurrence of metastases, type of treatment used) factors affect the level of acceptance of illness by patients. Stent standards were developed to determine the level of acceptance of illness in the low-average-high categories. Conclusions. The Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS) should be used in the case of cancer patients. Assessment of the patient's acceptance of illness, as well as the factors affecting acceptance, will allow for the planning of appropriate treatment and psychotherapeutic support for specific patients, whose level of acceptance of illnes is the lowest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the times of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and related cases of coronavirus infection with its complications affecting patients effective ways to relieve these symptoms are being searched. The article presents a review of publications on the effectiveness of inhalation with dry salt aerosol, one of the forms of halotherapy, in relation to the alleviation of symptoms of chronic respiratory diseases which often coincide with symptoms after COVID-19. The results of the analyzed studies show the effectiveness of halotherapy in the indicated form in relieving the symptoms of respiratory diseases such as dyspnoea or cough. More and more popular in Poland generally accessible inhalatoria with a dry salt aerosol can be considered as part of rehabilitation for patients after COVID-19. [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.)

Objective: The aim of this paper is is to present the assumptions of the Value Based Healthcare concept, the related benefits and examples of countries in which the concept is implemented. The article also proposes solutions based on the VBHC model that could be implemented in the Polish healthcare system., Materials and Methods: A literature search was conducted using the PubMed via Ovid database using the following keywords: Gray literature items were also analyzed using the Google Scholar tool and other documents, eg of the European Commission. Then the work was divided into the following thematic areas: definitions and principles of VBHC, benefits and challenges related to the implementation of the model, VBHC in Europe, recommendations for solutions in Poland based on VBHC. Value Based Healthcare (VBHC) is a healthcare financing model developed by M. Porter and E. Teisberg. It is based on the assumptions of financing healthcare providers based on treatment outcomes, that is, values. This concept was created in connection with the constantly growing costs in the American healthcare system, which, however, did not translate into health indicators in the population. The aim of VBHC is to minimize the cost of the system while achieving the best result for the patient. In this model of healthcare organization, it is assumed that those healthcare providers who provide the best quality care should be best financed, thus contributing to cure or significantly improving the quality of life of patients., Conclusions: Value Based Healthcare is the recommended method of financing due to the optimization of healthcare expenses while maintaining the appropriate quality of services provided to patients. Currently, many countries in Europe and around the world have started implementing this system solution. However, the transition from a service charge to value for money model is a complex process. In the authors' opinion, the longterm benefits of such a financing model bring a significant improvement in the quality of services and patient satisfaction., (© National Institute of Public Health – National Institute of Hygiene.)

Objective: The aim of the paper is to present in a synthetic way the sin tax tool, the mechanisms of its functioning, challenges related to the tool and examples of the application of this tax in selected countries., Material and Method: In accordance with Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tariff System guidelines, a review of literature in the PubMed and Cochrane scientific databases was conducted on the basis of search searches. They searched grey literature and institutional documents of health organizations and legal acts of selected countries that introduced sin tax in the period since 2005., Results: Sin tax is a public health tax that aims to reduce the negative health attitudes of the population through the use of a price regulation mechanism. In order to prepare an effective economic tool, it is important to model it properly. Today, 35 countries around the world have introduced an additional tax on tobacco products, which is wholly or partly used for health care. In 9 countries, targeted taxes have been introduced on a component whose excessive consumption adversely affects health (sugar, salt, fats)., Conclusions: Sin tax is a tool that, if properly implemented, can contribute to changing consumer behaviour and thus have a positive impact on the health of the population. It should be remembered that decisions taken at the central level, especially those concerning the introduction of new taxes, should be supported by reliable analyses. Although sin tax is undoubtedly an effective and increasingly widely used tool, it is not free from defects. One of its major drawbacks is its regressive character and potential negative social perception., (© National Institute of Public Health – National Institute of Hygiene)

Admission: Untreated eye diseases are the leading cause of blindness in the world. Most people suffering from visual impairment is in the age group above 50 years of age. As many as 82% of people in this group is suffering from eye diseases., Objective: The aim of this work was to present the epidemiology of eye diseases and state of infrastructure of ophthalmology in Poland., Material and Methods: Based on data by WHO prepared review of world and Polish literature on issues in the field of ophthalmology and epidemiology of eye diseases. On the analysis developed epidemiological situation of the most common eye diseases--cataract, glaucoma and AMD--leading to loss of vision in Poland. Using databases CSIOZ, the Central Statistical Office and WHO listed infrastructure resources of ophthalmology in Poland., Results: The main eye diseases leading to blindness indicated cataract, glaucoma and macular degeneration. In 80% of cases, vision loss can be avoided by early detection and treatment., Conclusions: Prevention and early detection is an essential tool for reducing the incidence of blindness, especially in elderly.