The initiative, called My Health, aims to improve early detection of serious illnesses and will replace the existing Prevention 40-Plus program, which is set to end on April 30.
The government hopes that by offering routine screenings, the new effort will help detect many conditions earlier, allowing for more effective prevention and treatment.
Health Minister Izabela Leszczyna said that the new preventive care program will be launched following a recommendation from the Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tariff System (AOTMiT) to finance adult health screenings through the National Health Fund (NFZ).
The program is designed to improve early detection of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, kidney disorders, thyroid dysfunction, certain cancers, infectious diseases such as hepatitis C, and mental health conditions.
Another goal of the initiative is to increase vaccination rates among the population. Genetic conditions will also be taken into account.
Around 30 million people will be eligible to participate in the program. Those between the ages of 20 and 59 will be able to undergo a health screening once every five years, while those over 60 will be eligible every three years.
Leszczyna has said that patients will not be left to interpret their test results on their own, adding that medical professionals will provide necessary guidance.
The screening process will consist of several stages. Patients will first complete a questionnaire, either online through the Internet Patient Account (IKP) or in person at a primary healthcare facility.
The program will include a range of diagnostic tests, selected based on the patient's age and medical history. These tests will assess liver function, with measurements of ALAT, ASPAT and GGTP enzyme levels.
Men will be offered a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, which helps detect prostate enlargement.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening will be available, along with a stool test designed to detect hidden blood, a possible early indicator of colorectal cancer.
For patients over the age of 60, additional assessments will be conducted to monitor blood pressure, heart rate, weight, height, waist circumference, and body mass index (BMI).
Cognitive function will also be evaluated using the mini-COG scale, which helps identify potential cases of dementia and determines whether further diagnostic testing is needed.
A follow-up visit will be scheduled to review test results and analyze the patient’s overall health.
This visit will include an assessment of cardiovascular risk using SCORE2 risk scales and the development of an Individual Health Plan (IPZ).
Patients identified as being in high-risk groups will receive additional support, including educational counseling and guidance on smoking cessation.
According to AOTMiT documents, the first year of the program is expected to cost around PLN 749,000 (EUR 178,255, USD 194,350), based on an estimated participation rate of 11 percent.
By the 10th year, if participation increases to 40 percent, the cost could rise to PLN 3.2 million.
However, AOTMiT’s advisory council has warned that overall expenses could be significantly higher, potentially reaching hundreds of millions of zlotys a year.
Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death in Poland, accounting for nearly 37 percent of all deaths in 2023.
Cancer ranks as the second leading cause, responsible for 24 percent of deaths last year.
Dementia prevalence increases with age, affecting approximately 1 percent of people between 60 and 65 years old.
Among those over 85, the percentage of individuals experiencing cognitive decline rises to 35 percent.
Depression is also a major public health concern, with an estimated 1.2 million Poles affected by the condition.
In 2023, around 809,000 people received treatment for depression, with the highest number of cases recorded among individuals aged 65 to 74.
(rt/gs)
Source: polskieradio24.pl