BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM
Poland is taking a major step toward preventive healthcare with the launch of a free nationwide screening program for adults aged 20 and older. Known as Moje Zdrowie (“My Health”), the initiative aims to promote early detection of potential health issues and foster long-term wellness habits across all age groups.
The program replaces and expands upon a previous scheme, Profilaktyka 40+ (“Prevention 40+”), which limited eligibility to those over 40. Unlike its predecessor, My Health is designed for ongoing use: people aged 20 to 49 can participate once every five years, while those 50 and older can access screenings every three years. Another key difference? A follow-up consultation with a doctor is now built in.
Health minister Izabela Leszczyna emphasized the importance of developing adult screening routines. “For decades, we have been accustomed to periodic preventive examinations of children and adolescents,” she said. “Very often, however, adults forget to take the same care of themselves.”
“That is why we are introducing regular health checkups for adults – to help build the habit of routine screenings and encourage people to take better care of their own health.”
What the program includes
Available at all primary health care centers (POZ) in Poland, My Health begins with a detailed questionnaire—online or in person—covering lifestyle, family history, and mental health. Based on these responses, participants receive a customized list of recommended tests, which must be scheduled within 30 days.
The standard test package includes a complete blood count, glucose and creatinine levels, lipid profile, thyroid hormones, and urinalysis. Older adults may be referred for additional diagnostics, such as liver function tests, PSA levels (for men), hepatitis C antibodies, or occult blood tests.
Once results are in, patients receive a personalized health plan, including vaccination schedules and preventive care recommendations.
Registration is available through the Internet Patient Account (IKP), the Moje IKP mobile app, or directly at a primary care clinic.
A response to past limitations
Medical professionals have responded positively to the changes. “My Health is a program different from Prevention 40+. It is a patient-friendly program, focused on action, not just on collecting results,” said Michał Sutkowski, president of the College of Family Physicians in Poland (KLRwP), in an interview with Medexpress.
He noted that under the older scheme, many patients failed to follow up after receiving test results. The addition of doctor consultations in My Health addresses this gap.
Łukasz Balwicki, a professor at the Medical University of Gdańsk, also welcomed the initiative, telling Euractiv that it would be crucial to assess whether people actually adhere to the health guidance they receive.
Systemic challenges remain
Despite this promising development, the program launches against a backdrop of healthcare staffing shortages, particularly in rural areas and primary care.
In 2021, Poland had 3.4 doctors per 1,000 people—on par with the OECD average—but just 6.3 nurses per 1,000, well below the OECD average of 9.1. The imbalance is expected to grow as many healthcare workers near retirement age and too few new professionals enter the workforce to replace them.
Meanwhile, Poland continues to lag behind other EU countries in healthcare spending. In 2022, the country allocated just 6.4 percent of its GDP to health—well below the EU average of 10.4 percent and among the lowest in the bloc.
A shift toward long-term health
Even amid these structural challenges, experts agree that My Health is a meaningful step forward. By extending free, personalized screenings to younger adults and building in follow-up care, the program offers a practical model for other countries looking to shift focus from reactive treatment to proactive prevention.
As Sutkowski put it, the value lies in turning test results into action. If Poland’s new initiative can turn that principle into a nationwide habit, it could become a quiet revolution in everyday healthcare.
