Working in healthcare, despite its nobility, often carries the burden of overwork, fatigue, and professional burnout, which can lead to serious consequences for medical staff and patients alike. Research and statistics clearly demonstrate that a tired physician poses not only a threat to their own health but also to the safety of patients.
“The Lancet” journal reports a frightening truth that even minor sleep deficiencies can dramatically affect the quality of physicians’ work. A doctor working a grueling 36-hour shift may make up to 460% more diagnostic errors compared to a colleague who had sufficient sleep. Furthermore, an experienced surgeon with only a few hours of sleep may have a 170% higher risk of committing a serious error during a medical procedure.
In Poland, the reality isn’t much better. A survey conducted by the Konsylium24.pl portal indicates that the vast majority of doctors and nurses work significantly beyond the standard hours. Moreover, as revealed by the study, some of them engage in work for up to 18 hours a day, summing up to a staggering 126 hours per week.
The overwork of medical personnel not only jeopardizes their health and personal lives but also poses a real threat to patients. In Poland, where there are only 2.4 doctors and 5.1 nurses per 1000 inhabitants, the shortage of personnel becomes a significant public health problem. Not only are we far behind other European countries in terms of medical staff availability, but we also question the quality and safety of medical care we can expect.
The solution to this problem is not merely patching up the staffing gap but also the necessity of preventive measures and support for medical personnel. Training on self-care, stress management, healthy lifestyle, and adequate rest can help reduce the risk of fatigue and medical errors.
However, to effectively counteract the fatigue of doctors and nurses, broader actions are necessary. Educating new medical professionals, incentivizing work in the profession through flexible forms of employment, and being open to employees from abroad are just some of the possible solutions. Cooperation with other countries, such as Ukraine, can provide us with new, qualified specialists who can strengthen our healthcare system.
Combating physician fatigue is not just a matter of the well-being of medical staff but also the safety of each of us. Faced with challenges related to the growing demand for healthcare, we cannot afford to neglect this issue. Healthy, rested medical workers are the cornerstone of the efficient functioning of the healthcare system and the guarantee of patient safety.
Medical transportation plays a significant role in ensuring comprehensive healthcare, particularly within health insurance policies. It is a crucial element that enables patients to have quick and effective access to necessary medical services in emergencies or situations requiring specialized care. In this article, we will explore the main benefits of medical transportation within health insurance policies and its impact on improving healthcare quality.
Swift Access to Medical Care
One of the most important benefits of medical transportation within health insurance policies is ensuring rapid access to medical care in urgent or critical situations. Time often plays a crucial role in emergencies such as road accidents, heart attacks, or strokes. Medical transportation allows for the swift transfer of patients to the nearest hospital or medical facility where they can receive essential medical assistance.
Professional Care During Transport
Medical transportation within health insurance policies also ensures high standards of care during patient transport. Ambulance crews and other medical transport personnel are trained to provide stabilization and care during the journey to the hospital. They also have appropriate medical equipment that may be necessary in emergency situations, such as defibrillators or advanced medications.
Optimal Use of Medical Resources
Medical transportation within health insurance policies also contributes to the optimal utilization of medical resources. By quickly transporting patients to appropriate medical facilities, excessive burdens on hospitals or emergency services can be avoided. This, in turn, allows for more effective patient management and better organization of medical personnel’s work.
Increased Availability of Medical Care
Another significant advantage of medical transportation within health insurance policies is the increased availability of medical care, especially in areas with limited access to medical facilities. Thanks to the mobility of medical transportation, patients from remote or hard-to-reach regions can quickly reach medical specialists and receive necessary care.
In summary, medical transportation is an integral element of health insurance policies that contributes to improving healthcare quality and increasing the availability of medical services for patients. It provides swift access to medical care in emergencies, professional care during transport, and optimal use of medical resources. With medical transportation, patients can rest assured that in cases of emergencies or illnesses, they will have swift and effective access to necessary medical assistance, leading to improved health and quality of life.
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Snoring: Causes, Effects, and Treatment Methods
Snoring is a problem that affects millions of people worldwide. While for some it’s just a bothersome nighttime melody, for others it can lead to more serious health consequences. In this article, we’ll examine the main causes of snoring, its potential effects, and various treatment methods to help you understand this phenomenon and deal with it effectively.
Causes of Snoring
Snoring can have various causes, and its mechanism is related to the vibration of loose throat and palate tissues during sleep. Some of the main factors predisposing to snoring include:
Obesity: Excessive accumulation of fat tissue around the neck can lead to narrowing of the airways, increasing the risk of snoring.
Smoking and Alcohol Consumption: These substances can lead to relaxation of the throat muscles, which in turn promotes snoring.
Nasal Congestion: Blocked airways due to allergies, infections, or other sinus problems can force mouth breathing, increasing the risk of snoring.
Sleeping Position: Sleeping on the back can cause the tongue and palate to collapse, obstructing the free flow of air and promoting snoring.
Effects of Snoring
Snoring can negatively impact the quality of life and health of both the snorer and their partner. Some potential effects of snoring include:
Sleep Apnea: In individuals suffering from sleep apnea, snoring can disrupt the regular sleep cycle, leading to oxygen deprivation and more serious health problems.
Daytime Fatigue: Interrupted sleep associated with snoring can lead to feelings of fatigue and lack of energy during the day.
Health Problems: Some studies suggest that regular snoring may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, arterial hypertension, and diabetes.
Treatment Methods
The treatment of snoring may involve various methods, depending on its cause and severity. Some of the most commonly used treatment methods include:
Lifestyle Changes: For snoring caused by obesity, changes in diet and regular physical activity can bring significant improvement.
Medical Devices: Devices such as nasal strips or Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines can help keep the airways open during sleep.
Surgery: In some cases, especially when snoring is caused by anatomical issues with the airways, surgical intervention may be necessary.
Summary
Snoring is a common phenomenon that can lead to a range of health and social problems. Understanding its causes and effects is crucial for effectively managing this issue. If you suffer from snoring, consult a physician for a professional assessment and treatment recommendations. With the appropriate steps, you can enjoy peaceful sleep and better overall health.
For many individuals traveling between countries, ensuring continuity of treatment or accessing high-quality medical services may be one of the main reasons for movement.This phenomenon, which includes both international migration and mobility within the European Union, poses new challenges for healthcare systems and requires flexible solutions.
Statistics
According to Eurostat data, in 2020 there were over 34 million migrants in the entire European Union, accounting for approximately 7% of the EU population. These numbers are significant, as the increase in intra-EU mobility poses new challenges for healthcare systems. Traveling individuals may need access to medical services in different countries, requiring coordination and continuity of care.
One of the main problems migrants may encounter is accessing healthcare without proper health insurance. Eurostat data indicates that the percentage of migrants without health insurance is particularly high in some European countries, such as Greece or Italy. Lack of insurance can be a barrier to accessing basic medical services and lead to neglect of health.
Mobility as a Motivating Factor
In this context, private health insurance becomes increasingly important for individuals traveling in search of healthcare. Private insurance can provide faster access to treatment, coverage of medical procedure costs, and the ability to use medical services on preferential terms. This is especially important in cases of sudden illness or accidents, where time is crucial.
Furthermore, population mobility can impact the burden on healthcare systems in destination countries. A high number of migrants can lead to increased demand for medical services, which in turn requires proper resource planning and budget allocation for healthcare. In such situations, it becomes necessary to ensure equal access to medical services for all residents, regardless of their migration status.
In summary, population mobility in Europe in the context of seeking healthcare presents both challenges and opportunities for healthcare systems. This requires action at the national, European, and global levels to ensure equal access to high-quality medical services for all travelers, regardless of their origin or purpose of travel. Private health insurance can play a significant role in providing comfort and certainty during travels for health purposes.
Assisting in the fulfillment of wishes is necessary, and wishes for health are among those whose realization largely depends on decisions made by ourselves and entities responsible for the functioning of healthcare. It is a good time for planning. Healthcare should be associated with actions that protect our health, rather than fighting disease. In such efforts, allies are needed, solutions that support the challenging relationship between the patient and the doctor. The near future will show how helpful coordinated care will be in this regard.
Prepared Patient before a Visit to the Clinic
The philosophy of approaching the patient is changing. Currently, the patient visits the clinic when they feel they have a health need. Coordinated care reverses the situation. The coordinator assesses the patient’s health needs and, importantly for the entire healthcare system, rationalizes them. Health services are planned in advance. A healthcare plan is created, and its implementation is overseen by the coordinator.
Coordinated care has been in operation since October 1, 2021, and is gradually evolving. Primary healthcare facilities (PHC) can apply to the National Health Fund (NFZ) for an additional payment for the coordinator’s work. In the initial stage, the scope of their duties was limited to encouraging patients to participate in preventive programs. For example, in a medical facility, a list of individuals eligible for a specific program or health intervention is generated, and the coordinator’s role is to recruit patients. This includes inviting patients to the program, providing information about the program, and guiding patients on how to prepare for it. This approach provides an opportunity to promote preventive programs among patients, such as the Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Program, whose implementation level in the population is still low.
Holistic Coordinated Action of the Family Doctor
The introduction of coordinated care in a given clinic is still voluntary. From October 1, 2022, facilities can apply to the NFZ to expand the scope of services and enter into relevant agreements. The goal is to strengthen the family doctor and, consequently, relieve specialist doctors. Emphasis is placed on the diagnosis and treatment of the most common chronic diseases. In medically justified situations, the family doctor can prescribe tests that were previously reserved for specialists.
The selection of conditions covered by coordinated care is dictated by the frequency of occurrences. As part of a comprehensive individual consultation, a treatment plan can be established for patients diagnosed with diseases in the fields of cardiology, diabetology, pulmonary diseases, endocrinology, and, from December, nephrology. Importantly, the family doctor can order a thyroid function test, EKG, or heart ultrasound. The patient does not need to obtain a referral to a cardiology clinic. Based on the results, the doctor decides whether the patient can be under their care or if a referral to a specialist is required. Most patients will not need this because they are not so seriously ill as to require outpatient specialist care.
Treatment is based on an Individual Medical Care Plan, which considers not only conducting tests but also consultations between the family doctor and the specialist. It also includes additional consultations, for example, with a dietitian in the case of diagnosing diabetes. Each clinic that has joined coordinated care must offer dietitian consultations.
The coordinator is intended to support the patient-doctor relationship. This role can be fulfilled by a clinic employee. Their role is to assist the patient in implementing the treatment plan. The coordinator supports the patient, registers prescribed tests, and reminds them of appointments.
Barriers to the Development of Coordinated Care
It is estimated that around 30% of PHC clinics currently provide coordinated care. The most common problem is the availability of family doctors to specialists in a specific field, as the NFZ requires a specific specialist to be identified on the day of signing the coordinated care agreement. This touches on the issue of funding. Given the current valuations of healthcare services in some regions, it is difficult to recruit specialists.
The expansion of the family doctor’s competencies is not accompanied by appropriate remuneration. The lack of motivating elements for them to provide coordinated care is another problem. The same applies to assigning the role of coordinator to employees or hiring coordinators.
Coordinated Care and Private Health Insurance
Coordinated care is a guaranteed service within primary healthcare and is funded by the National Health Fund. Therefore, it is available to all patients, regardless of whether they have private health insurance.
In light of the barriers mentioned above, private health insurance can provide significant financial support for the development of coordinated care. Serving as a source of healthcare funding enables and improves access to specialists. It provides real financial relief for both primary and specialist healthcare and reduces waiting times for appointments.
On the other hand, the shift from “referral-based” to coordinated medicine poses a challenge for insurers in creating insurance conditions that are adequate to complement the universal healthcare system and serve as an effective source of funding.
The shift from treating diseases to health prevention aligns with the current trend of emphasizing the preventive function of insurance.
The author of the text is Dr. Hab. Dorota Maśniak, a professor at the University of Gdańsk.
She is currently also a member of:
The Management Committee of the Polish branch of the Association Internationale de Droit des Assurances (AIDA),
The Advisory Scientific Committee for the Financial Ombudsman for the term 2023-2026,
The holiday season is filled with hustle and bustle and various situations that can make our heads spin. However, it’s important not to forget about ourselves and our families in such situations. Don’t have an idea for a gift? Consider buying insurance. You can present it to your loved ones. Such a gift will undoubtedly prove to be very practical in the future because one never knows what tomorrow may bring.
During the shopping frenzy, it’s worth considering a gift that takes care of what is essential in wishes: safety and health. These two factors should be the most important regardless of the situations people encounter in their daily lives. Therefore, taking care of oneself and the family is crucial. The most comprehensive insurance can turn out to be of great value for health.
What about these presents?
53% of surveyed Poles have not bought a single Christmas present yet – according to a report by CBRE. 59% of respondents plan to buy gifts 2-3 weeks before the holidays – it was added.
Surprises under the Christmas tree for loved ones are prepared by 9 out of 10 Poles – according to a study by CBRE. It was indicated that 53% have not bought any presents yet, 31% have some, and 4% have already stocked up on all.
As reported, 59% of respondents go shopping for Christmas presents 2-3 weeks before Christmas, and 17% do so a week earlier. 3% of those surveyed buy presents two or three days before the holidays, and 6% buy presents “completely at the last minute.”
How much will we spend on Christmas presents? According to the Provident Star Barometer, men declared that they would spend PLN 813 on gifts and PLN 1107 on other purchases. Meanwhile, women planned costs of PLN 682 and PLN 820, respectively.
The best gift can be an investment in… health
Perhaps it’s worth focusing on… health this year? On a gift that will genuinely help loved ones and make the new year start with new energy and enthusiasm? Even financially, all expense bills may turn out to be more favorable with health insurance. So, if you are already familiar with the costs of potential classic gifts, compared to the policy, it will turn out that the cost of insurance will not only be more advantageous but can also be treated as an investment, not just a temporary gift, but even for many, many years!
All you need to do is find a good insurer who will present you with the most advantageous offers. Health insurance can be purchased individually or for the entire family. The latter option is very useful when we want to protect our marriage and children.
If you’ve already decided to purchase insurance as a holiday gift, you can be sure that you haven’t made a mistake because health insurance can be a smart move in the future. Every day we hear about many accidents, high treatment costs, and queues in healthcare facilities. You never know what the next day will bring, so it’s always essential to be cautious. With health insurance, you are covered not just for the holidays but all the time.
The financial condition of county hospitals is very poor, evident in increasing operational losses and growing debts. The situation worsened due to the reform of the remuneration system for healthcare workers, which took effect in July 2022, with no corresponding increase in the valuation of services. Since then, the financial state of these institutions has been deteriorating.
The outlook for hospitals in 2024 is bleak. The increase in salaries for medical staff poses a significant problem. “Unfortunately, the future prospects are also troubling,” says Krzysztof Żochowski, Vice President of the All-Poland Association of Employers of County Hospitals. According to him, in 2024, another remuneration adjustment for medical staff will come into force, and without changes to the valuation rules allowing for financing the raises, county hospitals will continue to accumulate debt.
“If nothing changes, the financial situation of hospitals will further deteriorate. Instead of allocating more funds to improve patient care, we will have to allocate an increasing portion to financial costs, interest payments, and expenses for untimely deliveries. The system will simply become destabilized, and then, something no one wishes for, the necessity to limit services, close wards, or even some hospitals will arise. It will simply lead to a catastrophe,” continues Żochowski.
According to the Supreme Audit Office, as of mid-2022, there were 313 county hospitals in Poland providing healthcare services financed by the National Health Fund (NFZ). In August 2023, the Supreme Audit Office published a report on the control of their activities from 2020 to 2022. The main problem hindering the functioning of county hospitals, as highlighted by the report, is their worsening financial situation, resulting in increasing indebtedness. As of the end of June 2022, the total obligations of county hospitals exceeded PLN 7.3 billion, with due obligations reaching nearly PLN 777 million.
The Supreme Audit Office also notes that the method of financing county hospitals was changed due to the declaration of a state of epidemic in Poland, causing a temporary improvement in their financial results and only clouding the true picture. In 2021, 16 out of 22 audited hospitals achieved a positive financial result. However, after the first half of 2022, only three entities recorded a net profit, while the rest (19 facilities) incurred a net loss. The audited hospitals faced significant challenges in balancing their operations and had delays in settling payments, resulting in the need to pay interest.
A true financial downturn for county hospitals occurred in the second half of 2022, driven by both growing inflation and overall cost increases, as well as the reform of the remuneration system for healthcare workers, which came into effect on July 1, 2022. As a result of this reform, the scale of minimum wage increases ranged from 17 to 41%, depending on the employee group.
As shown by a report prepared by the Association of Polish Counties and the All-Poland Association of Employers of County Hospitals in collaboration with SGH (“Financial Situation of County Hospitals in Light of the Amendment of the Act on the Determination of the Minimum Basic Salary of Certain Employees Employed in Medical Entities”), this further worsened the financial situation of county hospitals. Out of 211 surveyed facilities, 191 reported operational losses in 2022 (compared to 172 the previous year), and 151 reported net losses (compared to 112 the previous year). Their sales revenue increased by just over PLN 1 billion, operational costs increased by PLN 1.6 billion, and liabilities increased by over PLN 2 billion year on year.
“In the wake of decisions at the parliamentary and ministerial levels – otherwise justified, regarding increasing the salaries of our employees – precise increases in valuations must follow to enable us to pay these raises. If this does not happen, our financial situation will deteriorate,” says the Vice President of the All-Poland Association of Employers of County Hospitals.
For the vast majority of county hospitals, the change in the valuation rules for services (indicated in Recommendation No. 65/2022 of the President of the Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tariffication from July 2022) did not allow for securing funds to finance mandatory raises and cover the rising prices of goods and services due to inflation.
“In the case of facilities that provide permanent emergency duty, the cost of readiness must also be taken into account. For county hospitals, provincial hospitals, and some others, this is a significant part of the costs. We do not know when a patient will appear, to whom we will have to provide services and then bill for them. We must be ready for this all the time. And this is a huge cost – the cost of the readiness of the block, hospital emergency department, diagnostic facilities, laboratories, imaging studies, etc. This should also be taken into account in valuations,” evaluates Krzysztof Żochowski.
As emphasized, the prospects for hospitals in the coming year are “troubling,” and their financial situation will likely continue to worsen – especially since another remuneration adjustment for medical staff will come into force in July 2024.
“The new government should, first of all, fairly pay for work and make an accurate valuation of services. In fact, it should read this valuation from the market because the government is not here to determine how much a person should earn and how much everything costs. The market creates such data, and mechanisms must be introduced that will provide the government with accurate knowledge on this matter and allow aligning state policy with this market diagnosis. Without a fair valuation of services, without fair payment for good work, there will be no well-functioning healthcare system in Poland,” emphasizes the Vice President of the All-Poland Association of Employers of County Hospitals.
What will be the impact on patients? An increasing portion of funds, instead of being allocated for better patient care, will have to be dedicated to financial costs, interest payments, and the costs of untimely deliveries. The system may become destabilized, and then there may be something that no one wishes for – the need to limit services, close wards, or even some hospitals. There may be a breakdown in public institutions – warns Żochowski.
A modern office may seem like a relatively safe workplace, as long as you’re not washing windows on the 44th floor. However, it’s not entirely the case. Working in an office exposes your health to significant risks every day. A sedentary work mode takes away years of your life
Spending entire days in a seated position is harmful to the body. The resulting aches are the least of the problems. Too much sitting leads to a shorter life, causing musculoskeletal disorders, obesity, diabetes, cancer, heart diseases, and many more. Not even regular exercise can fully protect you from these issues.
If your job requires long hours of sitting, make an effort to take a few minutes every hour to, for example, walk around the office or take a short stroll outside the building.
Slouching in the chair causes back and head pain
Take a look at how you are currently sitting. Are you slouching or sitting up straight? According to experts from the USA, when we slouch or lean forward, our muscles and ligaments tense up to maintain balance. This leads to back and head pain, as well as other problems.
When do you truly get a good night’s sleep? Scientists explain the ideal sleep Based on the opinions of experts from the Cleveland Clinic, we recommend finding the healthiest position for your desk. How to do it? First, sit on the edge of your chair without touching the backrest. Let your body slouch. Then try to straighten up, pushing your buttocks as hard as you can. Maintain this position for a few seconds. After a while, relax a bit, but only allow a slight bend in your back.
Treadmill desks can harm you
Desks equipped with treadmills were supposed to help office workers fight obesity and heart diseases. For a while, they were very popular, especially in the USA. However, as early as 2013, the Wall Street Journal reported that users often experienced falls while using such desks.
Moreover, working at a desk with a treadmill negatively affects productivity. A 2015 study shows that users have limited cognitive abilities and make more typos while working.
Long commutes cause sleep problems, increase cholesterol, and raise the risk of depression
American scientists report that if your daily commute is longer than 16 km, you are at risk of elevated levels of sugar and cholesterol. It also causes anxiety and increases the risk of depression.
However, public transportation is not a walk in the park either. According to data from the UK Office for National Statistics, people who commute by bus for more than half an hour daily experience less life satisfaction. The detrimental effects of long commutes also affect cyclists.
Furthermore, research indicates that most of us are unaware of how much commuting to and from work makes us unhappy. This is a factor worth considering before accepting another job offer.
Motivational meetings are demoralizing
Maria Konnikova from The New Yorker investigated the effects of forcing employees to maintain optimism at work. It turned out that the results were not the best.
One corporate psychologist told her that when employers try to force happiness with motivational slogans, people perceive these efforts as fake, and the result is exactly the opposite. Instead of a group of optimists, they have negatively oriented employees.
Stale air causes illnesses and reduces productivity
Experts use the term “Sick Building Syndrome” to describe the phenomenon of worsened health and well-being of employees due to staying in a particular office building.
There are studies confirming that people working in so-called “green” buildings—with better ventilation and lower CO2 emissions—achieve higher results in cognitive tests than employees in traditional office buildings.
Working more than 55 hours a week increases the risk of a heart attack
A study at a London university in 2015 showed that people working more than 55 hours a week have a 33% increased risk of a heart attack.
Furthermore, it has been proven that working long hours does not necessarily yield better results. Researchers claim that working 60 hours a week for three consecutive weeks makes us perform our tasks more slowly.
Subordinates of a bad boss may have heart problems
The Washington Post quoted a Swedish study showing that chronic stress caused by a toxic relationship with a boss can lead to heart diseases. The longer this situation lasts, the more significant health problems the employee may face.
This is just the beginning. Another study shows that working with a bad boss can lead to depression, sleep disorders, high blood pressure, and overweight.
Working odd hours leads to weight gain and higher stress hormone levels
People who work mainly in the evenings, such as programmers, are at an increased risk of developing type II diabetes, cancer, and heart diseases.
Harvard researchers discovered in 2009 that people who wake up late have lower levels of leptin, the hormone responsible for appetite suppression, and higher levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.
Constantly staring at a monitor damages eyesight
Computer Vision Syndrome manifests itself, among other things, as irritated eye area. To avoid its occurrence, the 20-20-20 rule should be followed. This rule involves taking a 20-second break every 20 minutes of staring at a computer, during which you look into the distance.
Kevin Loria, a reporter for American Business Insider, explains: “Your eyes have muscles that allow them to focus on a particular object. If we stare at one object, in this case, a computer, for a very long time, and after many hours suddenly shift our gaze to something else, the eye muscles will be strained.
Lack of sufficient sunlight complicates falling asleep and reduces concentration
Artificial light not only gives your skin an unpleasant, greenish color but also deceives your internal clock, making you feel sleepy and weak.
One of the American newspapers conducted a study that showed employees who had no contact with natural light slept 46 minutes less at night than those with windows in their rooms. Moreover, the quality of sleep for the former was much lower.
Boredom can lead to a heart attack
It’s not a metaphor; you can actually be bored to death. London scientists argue that people who complain about boredom die younger. The most common causes of death for those who get bored a lot are diseases and heart attacks.
Offices and computer keyboards are breeding grounds for bacteria
If offices are not properly cleaned, they become an ideal environment for the growth of dangerous bacteria.
Researchers at the University of Arizona observed the behavior of a virus strain (non-harmful to humans) that colonized a certain office building. A journalist from The Wall Street Journal, who observed the study, wrote:
“In just two hours, the virus managed to take over the entire office lounge—coffee maker, buttons on the microwave, refrigerator handle. It quickly began to move to the bathrooms, other rooms, and conference rooms. There, scientists observed that it rapidly covered phones, desks, and computers. After four hours, the virus was on 50% of the surfaces and bodies of half of the office employees.”
Scientists warn that antibacterial gels are not entirely effective and may even be harmful because they also destroy good bacteria.
Open space is trendy but harmful
Most offices implement open spaces for integration and communication, but at the same time, it promotes the spread of diseases.
Studies confirm that people working in open office spaces take more sick days than those working in closed rooms.
The health condition of Polish women and men is in a dire state, as revealed by data presented during the 10th Public Health Congress in 2023. “Before noon, 1.2 million ‘monkeys’ will be sold in stores. Some say it’s the most popular domestic pet in Poland,” stated Prof. Artur Mamcarz, a cardiologist. Experts have proposed urgent changes in response to the concerning findings.
From the data presented by experts, an image emerges of an increasingly unhealthy Polish population with shorter life expectancies. We are drinking more than during the PRL era, many are still addicted to smoking, obesity rates are rising, and we are breathing air that is one of the most polluted in Europe.
Poles Drink, Smoke, Gain Weight, and Die Faster
According to OECD data published in 2023, life expectancy in Poland is 75.5 years, 5.2 years shorter than the OECD countries’ average. Roughly every 10th Pole assesses their health as poor or very poor. Furthermore, preventable mortality through public health interventions is 44% higher than the OECD average – with 227 avoidable deaths per 100,000 residents in Poland, compared to the OECD average of 158/100,000.
Between 2019-2021, the life expectancy of Polish men decreased by 2.3 years (from 74.1 to 71.8), and for women, it decreased by 2.1 years (from 81.8 to 79.7). This trend began even before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, as indicated by Małecka-Libera.
In 2022, 305,000 children were born, while 448,000 deaths were recorded (a decrease of 143,000 Poles).
From the data presented, it is evident that 56.7% of Poles are overweight or obese, 8 million smoke cigarettes, over 2 million significantly abuse alcohol, and only 40% of Poles undergo regular health check-ups.
According to UNICEF, 630,000 children in Poland require specialized psychological and psychiatric assistance.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, a dramatic increase in excess deaths was recorded. In 2022, among 38 OECD countries, Poland ranked first in this regard (per capita).
Dr. Jerzy Gryglewicz from the Institute of Health Management at Lazarski University pointed out that behavioral factors related to lifestyle account for the loss of approximately 49% of healthy life years and around 44% of deaths. He added that the greatest contributors to the loss of healthy life years are tobacco smoking, high blood pressure, and a high BMI.
“It is still morning. 1.2 million so-called ‘monkeys’ will be sold in stores. By noon, half of these people will consume one or two ‘monkeys.’ Alcohol is readily available in Poland. Solutions must be found,” appealed Prof. Leszek Czupryniak, Head of the Department of Diabetology and Internal Medicine at the Medical University of Warsaw.
Experts emphasized during the Congress that Poland has one of the highest levels of air pollution. The European Environment Agency estimates that 53,000 deaths are attributed to air pollution in Poland each year.
“We are a country that derives 60% of its energy from coal burning, and 3,800,000 single-family buildings use traditional heating methods,” said Prof. Bolesław Samoliński, Head of the Department of Public and Environmental Health at the Medical University of Warsaw.
8 Public Health Priorities – Experts on Necessary Changes
In the first two discussion panels of the 10th Public Health Congress, a total of 8 priorities for the coming years were highlighted. These priorities were identified by experts participating in the Thursday discussions.
The most crucial aspect should be the population-wide control of risk factors, a task for everyone. A pressing task today is the rationalization of healthcare spending, as there are cost-effective and non-cost-effective procedures, pointed out Prof. Zbigniew Gaciong, Rector of the Medical University of Warsaw.
The key element in the upcoming period should be the development of a national strategy that encompasses all stages of life, focusing on prevention, promotion, and consequently, secondary and tertiary prevention. It would also break down silos in policy – integrating all actions of ministries that can impact citizens’ health and safety, said Prof. Bolesław Samoliński.
Wise health education as a long-term investment, treated not as a cost, is essential. People need to be addressed through the lens of health gains, stated Dr. Marek Rutka, a member of the Left Party.
“We must deal with excessive alcohol consumption and smoking. It is a significant problem in Poland; it is unbelievable that we have higher alcohol consumption than during the PRL era,” emphasized Dr. Tomasz Latos, former Chairman of the Health Committee of the Sejm.
“I would like all public health graduates to have jobs. Public health needs to be institutionalized. The most important institution should be the National Institute of Public Health PZH – State Research Institute – with access to local sanitary-epidemiological stations,” advised Prof. Jarosław Pinkas, National Consultant for Public Health.
“We are a different country than the Scandinavian countries. Here, the authority of politicians, rulers, is as low as possible, so the ability to introduce standards in this way is limited. We need to apply different solutions; a good example is the sugar tax, but it should be much higher. We need to find medicines and medical interventions to cure people of addiction to alcohol and cigarettes. Now the state behaves like a pimp – it sells cigarettes or alcohol and then treats diseases,” said Prof. Leszek Czupryniak.
In public health, we cannot manage without journalists who are aware of problems and will speak and write about them, as well as without politicians. The solutions they propose, after consultations, provide a chance to avoid problems, noted Prof. Artur Mamcarz.
“My priority is to build a nationwide prevention program for children – everything starts with them, with their knowledge, awareness, and choices,” stated Beata Małecka-Libera.
After 10 years of debate, it is time to take action. We no longer have time for discussions; we know exactly what needs to be done. If there is no leader, a person who understands public health, who will bring together all ministries, consolidate the community, we will spend another 10 years just discussing. We need to amend the Public Health Act and “hardcode” the measures that must appear there, change the organization and supervision – to eliminate the silos of ministries. We cannot afford for the Minister of Finance to provide some “scraps” for a national program or preventive actions. Funds must also come from excise duties and taxes – on tobacco and sugar,” concluded the senator.
Every year, over half a million families in the U.S. file for bankruptcy due to exorbitantly high medical bills. Because, for example, just getting a patient to hospital can cost up to half a million dollars! We present the absurdly high bills that Americans receive. And this despite the act that was supposed to eliminate the phenomenon of shockingly high invoices a year ago.
No country spends as much on healthcare as the U.S. In 2021, medical expenses of Americans increased by 2.7% and reached an astronomical amount of USD 4.3 trillion! That’s USD 12,914 per American! Although, it should be noted that this average is actually higher because in 2019, as many as 29 million Americans did not have any insurance policy at all and the lion’s share of them did not pay for treatment.
The largest economy in the world spends as much as 18.3% of its GDP on healthcare – this is a monstrous amount. Almost twice as much as the average for over 40 most developed countries in the world – OECD countries. Countries in this group spend on average 9.7% of their GDP on healthcare (even before the pandemic, and only 8.8% in 2019).
100 million Americans in medical debt!
Treatment costs dearly in the U.S. So dearly that every year, as many as 56 million Americans incur debts for this purpose or are burdened with such debts by healthcare facilities. About 11 million people among them take out the so-called payday loans – high-interest (up to almost 30%) loans to repay charges on their credit cards. According to Kaiser Health News, about 100 million Americans currently have debts for medical treatment – namely almost one in three U.S. residents.
Millions of them have to cut back on food to have enough to pay such a loan instalment. According to the research by KHN and NPR, over half of Americans have had such a loan/debt for treatment in the last 5 years.
It is therefore not surprising that medical expenses are No. 1 reason for personal bankruptcies in the U.S. – they account for as much as 2/3 of all bankruptcies.
In recent years, they have been declared by … an average of 530,000 families per year! But in crisis years (e.g. 2009), this number even exceeded 830,000. Between 2006 and the end of 2021, courts granted personal bankruptcy to as many as 15.3 million Americans! What leads to such situations? The U.S. media is full of descriptions of the outrageously high, even astronomical bills received by patients. These unjustifiably large amounts are often reduced or even cancelled as a result of the actions of patients’ lawyers or the case being made public by the media. In the media, lawyers also advise what to do and how to do it so that medical service providers or insurers do not rob citizens.
USD 489,000 for air ambulance
Sean Deines lost his job as a bartender in the spring of 2020 – the pandemic broke out. He went to visit his father in the remote areas of Wyoming. He felt bad. He went to hospital in Casper and from there, he was transported by helicopter to the Colorado University Hospital. There, the initial diagnosis was confirmed: acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a rapidly developing blood cancer. Sean decided to return to North Carolina, where he would be cared for by family and where his insurance company’s main office was located. Angel MedFlight announced that they would accept the insurer’s rates and the patient would not have to pay extra. So Sean flew with a nurse giving him oxygen on board. He was treated in hospital for a month and when he felt better, he received a bill. And he felt bad again. Very bad: USD 489,000 to pay for the flight of approx. 2.200 km. This also included about USD 70,000 for a short distance by an ordinary ambulance – from the airport to a nearby hospital.
Horrendously high rates. As it later turned out, the ride from the airport to the hospital was 30 times more expensive than the standard rate on this route. More significantly, it turned out that Angel MedFlight operated the flight before receiving payment confirmation from the Blue Cross insurer. After the flight, the insurer did not agree to the payment, stating that it was not necessary for medical reasons. This despite the fact that the company agreed to pay without any objections for the previous flight – from Casper to Colorado, even though, the patient’s condition was better at that time. Both companies wanted Deines to pay for it. When the media – Kaiser Health News – started asking about the matter, the bills suddenly “vanished”. Both companies apologised to the patient and promised that he would not be charged with any costs.
The best thing for a trip to the U.S.? An insurance policy
Why is insurance for trips to the U.S. so important? Mainly for two reasons. First of all, your EHIC card does not protect you when travelling to the U.S. Although, basing your health protection solely on the EHIC is not the best idea even in Europe, you must remember that it is the basic form of help in case of health problems. You do not have such free help in the U.S.
Secondly, the bill for healthcare in the U.S., as we wrote, can amount to several dozen or even several hundred thousand dollars. With such high medical costs as in the U.S., insurance for medical expenses abroad should be as high as possible. When you wonder what amounts should be included in travel insurance to the U.S., the simplest answer is – as high as possible. At MediSky, our health insurance covers treatment costs of up to EUR 2 million!
Travel insurance to the U.S. – why is it so important?
Here are some numbers to show you just how costly being uninsured in the U.S. can be
You will pay on average USD 755 for a blood test and from USD 100 to even USD 1,000 for an X-ray.
If you need to undergo surgery, you will pay from USD 500 to USD 3,500 for anaesthesia alone.
Medical care for a broken arm or leg costs up to USD 2,500, while for a sprained ankle – between USD 500 and USD 2,500.
Broken nose? You will pay from USD 500 to USD 8,000 for medical assistance.
It will cost you between USD 1,000 and USD 1,500 to visit a dentist and get a filling.
The cost of tonsillectomy ranges from approx. USD 4,150 to USD 6,380.
A tracheotomy can cost from USD 10,000 to even USD 150,000!
