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This review aims to explore the role of professional diagnostic rapid testing of acute respiratory infections (ARIs), especially COVID-19 and influenza, ensuring proper disease management and treatment in Europe, and particularly in Czech Republic, Poland, and Romania. The paper was constructed based on a review of scientific evidence and national and international policies and recommendations, as well as a process of validation by four experts. The development of new testing technologies, treatment options, and increased awareness of the negative multidimensional impact of ARI profiles transformed differential diagnosis into a tangible and desirable reality. This review covers the following topics: (1) the multidimensional impact of ARIs, (2) ARI rapid diagnostic testing platforms and their value, (3) the policy landscape, (4) challenges and barriers to implementation, and (5) a set of recommendations illustrating a path forward. The findings indicate that rapid diagnostic testing, including at the point of care (POC), can have a positive impact on case management, antimicrobial and antibiotic stewardship, epidemiological surveillance, and decision making. Integrating this strategy will require the commitment of governments and the international and academic communities, especially as we identified room for improvement in the access and expansion of POC rapid testing in the focus countries and the inclusion of rapid testing in relevant policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health policy and academic discourses on rare diseases and people with rare conditions frequently employ terms such as 'low prevalence' and 'unique' to characterize the smallness of the population under consideration and to justify targeted action toward these patient groups. This paper draws from recent anthropological scholarship on smallness and data, ethnographic research in Finland and Poland, as well as document and media analysis to examine how data is utilized in the context of isolated populations that are considered sites of rare diseases in these two countries. Specifically, this paper juxtaposes the notion of Finnish Disease Heritage (FDH) with that of a 'Kashubian gene' in Poland. The concept of FDH was developed by Finnish researchers in the 1970s; it encompasses almost forty rare hereditary diseases that are significantly more prevalent in Finland than elsewhere globally. On the other hand, the notion of the 'Kashubian gene' was first utilized by the media and some members of the Polish medical community around 2008. Based on 'unstable' data gathered during genetic research, the term referred to the high prevalence of a rare metabolic disorder (Long-Chain 3-Hydroxyacyl-CoA Dehydrogenase (LCHAD) deficiency) among Kashubians, an ethnic minority that resides in Northern Poland's Pomerania region. Whereas FDH facilitated the production and branding of 'a unique Finnish genetic identity' (Tupasela 2016b, 61), the notion of the 'Kashubian gene' has engendered health policy interventions targeting members of this ethnic minority and has contributed to stigmatizing practices carried out against Kashubians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The health system in Poland is characterized by oversized hospital infrastructure, with simultaneous deficits in the ambulatory and long-term care sectors. The main challenges of the hospital sector involve i.a. weak stewardship and fragmented governance with a concurrent problem of persistent hospital debts as well as huge workforce deficits. The objective of this paper is to present the government's 2021 plan for hospital care centralization. The reform project aimed i.a. at improving hospital service coordination by implementing a professional and centralized system for hospital sector supervision and effective restructuration processes. The proposed regulation project focused on three major issues: (1) adjusting the existing hospital network towards better concentration of specialized services; (2) launching an independent central agency responsible for monitoring public hospital financial standing as well as initiating and/or managing hospitals restructuration processes; and (3) introducing a formal certification of hospital managers competencies. The reform plans were developed in a relatively short time frame, with a top-down approach and strongly pushed towards the adoption in 2022. Many of the health system stakeholders were strongly opposed to the project which, in connection with new challenges faced by the health system in 2022 (the economic crisis) led the reform suspension. At the same time, a new restructuration and debt relief programme for public hospitals was announced., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Copyright of Polityka Spoleczna is the property of Institute of Labour & Social / Instytut Pracy i Spraw Socjalnych 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.)

Objectives: The objective of this article is to present the issue of sleepiness, sleep disorders, and their impact on traffic safety in Poland. The paper reviews published studies and data concerning the causes of driver fatigue and the scale of the sleep-related road accident problem. Research Design & Methods: This paper uses an extensive analysis and study of literature, classification, and scientific description, Findings: Road traffic accidents represent a huge public health concern, which needs to be tackled by a multi-disciplinary approach. Related deaths and disabilities have social and financial consequences, and are a real public health challenge. Sleep disorders have a tangible and empirically-proven effect on road safety. Effective identification, organised response, and therapy of this type of disorders should be implemented. Implications / Recommendations: The realisation of healthcare needs and services provided by the state can only be obtained under conditions of properly organised and operationally-effective economic, political, and social systems. A proper understanding of mechanisms and factors responsible for hazardous road behaviour may be of practical use for many actors involved, including public services, the healthcare sector, road safety services, road and vehicle engineers, and the financial sector, primarily insurance companies. Contribution / Value Added: As a result of the analysis, the synthesis of the theoretical findings on the road safety was presented. The certain consequences for national health policies were mentioned. This paper may serve as a basis for establishing subsequent empirical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The authors analyze the decisions made from March to September 2020 which affected the functioning of Polish health care facilities. According to the authors, that period determined and significantly influenced the decisions taken by state authorities during the subsequent waves of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach: The analysis of the issue presented in the paper will be a descriptive one. The research exploration will be carried out using the desk research method. Findings: Analyses of secondary and compilation documents showed that the authorities of the Republic of Poland were not prepared to manage the state in unprecedented conditions caused by the first wave of the pandemic, and the decisions taken at that time by public administration bodies were chaotic, not always well thought out and often influenced by public opinion. Originality/value (mandatory) The article can be considered original due to the fact that it combines an analysis of Polish legal acts issued during the first wave of the COVID-19 epidemic with, above all, an analysis of their social effects. The analyses showed that Polish authorities were not prepared for the pandemic crisis. The article is addressed to state administration employees as well as employees and students of universities with majors in national defense, public safety, medicine, medical rescue and public health. It may become a basis for developing legal acts of a preventive nature, which can be immediately applied in the event of another epidemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insufficient physical activity (PA) is one of major risk factors for serious diseases and premature mortality worldwide. Public policies to enhance PA across society are recognized as an effective tool against the problem. This paper presents the results of a comprehensive assessment of national-level PA policy approach in Poland. A standardized survey of Word Health Organization named the Health-Enhancing Physical Activity Policy Audit Tool (HEPA PAT) was used for data collection. Content analysis and strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis (SWOT) were used to characterize various PA policy aspects, to appraise the current situation, and accommodate organizational and environmental factors that it is influenced by. The results show that the national PA policy approach has been constantly developing in Poland, but there is room for improvement in a number of areas. The most important weaknesses are the lack of clear leadership, no mechanisms in place to coordinate efforts undertaken at different levels, and lack of collaboration across different levels of government and across different sectors of economy. Providing an umbrella covering all PA promotion policies and activities is, therefore, a key issue to be addressed. The country should seize the opportunity coming from an increasing awareness of a healthy lifestyle among Polish society.

This paper presents the methodology and results of Poland's 2022 Report Card on physical activity (PA) of children and adolescents, as part of the Global Matrix (GM) 4.0 project. The aim of this paper is to discuss the current state of PA of children and adolescents in Poland. Grades were assigned to ten indicators of behaviors, physical fitness and sources of influence or settings, based on a synthesis of the best available data. In Poland two indicators: Overall Physical Activity (OPA) and Active Play were not assessed. Out of the other indicators, School received the highest score B+, whereas the other indicators had generally moderate to weak scores (between C+ and D). Scores for Organized Sport and Physical Activity, School and Physical Fitness indicators were improved compared with the previous GM, whereas scores for Active Transport and Government were lower. No positive changes regarding OPA or Sedentary Behaviors were observed. One of the limitations of PA promotion in Poland is that government-level PA policies are overly focused on organized PA and sport. Recommendations for improving PA monitoring in Poland, influencing PA behaviors and strengthening PA settings and sources of influence are also discussed.

Objectives Aging populations and an increasing number of immigrants in recent years have led to numerous changes in intergenerational relationships. Although many studies have investigated the impact of providing care to a parent with dementia, little is known about the impact of caregiving activities provided from a distance, such as in the case of immigration, and over a long period of time to a person with dementia. Our understanding of how transnational caregiving for a person with dementia affects relationships is also limited. Using the Intergenerational Solidarity Theory as a theoretical framework, this paper examines the experiences of adult children and immigrant caregivers of a parent with dementia living in Poland. Methods A qualitative, semistructured interview was conducted with 37 caregivers living in the United States while providing transnational care to a parent with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. The data analysis was based on the thematic analysis strategy. Results Four themes were identified: (1) filial obligations and solidarity, (2) caregivers' contradictory emotions regarding transnational care, (3) financial and emotional exhaustion, and (4) challenges of nursing home dilemmas. Discussion Transnational caregivers represent a unique group who face distinctive challenges related to competing demands and limited resources. This study contributes to a better understanding of their experiences whereas the findings highlight the importance of addressing the mental and physical well-being of immigrant caregivers of individuals with dementia and have important implications for health care professionals and immigration policies. Implications for future research were also identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents current information on policy developments, service design, best practices, and approaches to empower the users of health and medical care services for people with intellectual disabilities in Poland. Polish regulations allow systemic support to be provided for all people with disabilities. However, Polish patients with intellectual disabilitiy (PwID) and their caregivers face many barriers. Although a key obstacle is the lack of a standard definition that approaches disability in an interdisciplinary way, PwID are also more likely to experience difficulties in personal communication in medical settings and less likely to encounter specialists prepared to work with this group. There is also a need to pay greater attention to the expectations of PwID. To facilitate a holistic approach to diagnosis and therapy, there needs to be coordination between different specialists, including medical staff, paramedics, psychologists, and teachers. Providing personal communication training for medical personnel, as well as developing dedicated procedures for PwID in primary health care, clinics and hospitals, will improve equal access to health and health literacy for all in Poland. Even so, it is important to respect the autonomy of PwID and the commitment of caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The goal of this paper is to analyze the COVID-19 policies of 10 European countries, including Sweden, Finland, Norway, Italy, France, Germany, Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Hungary, with a time-series policy analysis tool. Subject and methods: The results of the COVID-19 policy analysis are based on a single time-series indicator, or daily population mortality rate: the number of COVID-19 daily cumulative deaths divided by the population in millions. The lower the score, the better the policy. Although many experts believe that the COVID-19 policy outcome analysis is premature, time series analysis is an excellent analysis that can provide information on the progress and transition of policy outcomes. In other words, the proposed time series analysis tool allows policymakers to identify and quantify when mistakes were made during the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. Results: The COVID-19 policy analysis discovered many useful facts. Sweden failed due to the herd immunity approach. Hungary made a fundamental mistake in COVID-19 tactics. Countries such as Sweden, Hungary, Belgium, and Poland showed time-series changes that differed from the others. Conclusion: Public health interventions can play a key role in mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposed policy analysis tool, hiscovid demonstrated the effectiveness of the time-series score behavior for discovering when policymakers made mistakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidemiology is a unique science that identifies the incidence and distribution of diseases and their risk factors. An example of response to this need is the "Prospective Epidemiological Study of Urban and Rural Populations" (PURE), conducted in 27 countries around the world, including Poland, which is a unique multi-year cohort study of more than 150,000 people. The purpose of the PURE study is a prospective, multilevel observation of the development of chronic non-communicable diseases and their risk factors. The Polish cohort includes 2036 people from urban and rural areas with a rate response of 88.2% over 15 years. The main research focus of the analyses of the data collected in the Polish PURE cohort during the multiyear follow-up period was on the incidence and determinants of chronic non-communicable diseases. The results of the PURE study help in understanding the development of cardiovascular diseases and provide a unique opportunity for research and respond to the need to create guidelines, recommendations, and health policies in line with evidence-based medicine. Its results are compelling evidence pointing to the need to continue to create, develop, and maintain regional and global observational cohorts over many years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the relevance of the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent isolation policy on foreign body aspiration (FBA) or ingestion (FBI) reports among children. Material and methods: A retrospective review of medical records between January 2018 and September 2021 was carried out to identify patients younger than 18 years who were admitted to the Paediatric Surgery and Urology Department, University Hospital in Wrocław, due to suspicion of a foreign body (FB) in their digestive or respiratory system. For each patient: age, sex, hospitalisation time, type of foreign body, its localisation, time and means for removal, and diagnostic approach were assessed. Results: The study group comprised 236 children. The patients were divided into 2 groups including children that were admitted before and after the declaration of the state of pandemics in Poland (20 March 2020), which gives periods of 26 and 20 months, respectively. Those related to general admission number (as a percentage of all admissions) equal an average of 1.92% (of 6300) and 2.03% (of 3802), respectively. This resulted in 122 children before and 114 after the beginning of the pandemic. The age ranges were 6--203 months (median 30) and 8--211 months (median 35), respectively. The most common types of foreign bodies were food, batteries, and coins. The new ones comprised magnetic pieces found in 12 children. Surgical intervention, which mostly included gastroscopy or rigid bronchoscopy, was undertaken in 186 cases -- for the groups, 70 (57.4%) and 69 (60.5%) FBs, respectively, were removed. The assessed success rate was 71.43% and 78.41%, respectively. Conclusions: The pandemic isolation policy seems to have had no major impact on FBI and FBA events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The main purpose of this article is to analyze and understand trends in COVID-19 cases in Poland during what is considered the end of the pandemic. Design/methodology/approach: The article uses data visualization methods to assess trends and identify key factors influencing the dynamics of the pandemic. The analysis included data on the pandemic in the period from 1 January, 2023 to 30 June, 2023. On 1 July, 2023, the state of epidemic threat in Poland was canceled. Findings: Analysis of epidemiological data showed that the number of new COVID-19 cases in Poland showed a gradual decline during the period considered to be the end of the pandemic. This reduction in case numbers has been consistent across regions of the country, although some areas have seen periodic increases. The data clearly demonstrate the significant impact of vaccinations in reducing the number of new infections and severe disease outcomes. Regions with higher vaccination rates saw lower COVID-19-related hospitalizations and deaths. Research limitations/implications: The surveys discussed in this article may contribute to further empirical studies, including but not limited to initiating works to improve the pandemic analysis. Practical implications: The study provides important information that can be used by public health decision-makers to shape effective pandemic response strategies. The results highlight the importance of maintaining and adapting intervention measures, such as vaccination, to control the spread of the virus and reduce the number of severe cases. Originality/value: This study stands out from other works on the COVID-19 pandemic by its unique focus on the final stage of the pandemic in Poland. While most studies focus on the early stages of the pandemic or its global impact, our study offers detailed insight into local aspects of pandemic management and its evolution in a specific country. We present a comprehensive analysis that combines epidemiological data, the impact of health policy, social behavior and vaccination effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aims to accurately estimate influenza‐associated deaths in Poland and their certified cause of death, due to significant discrepancies between official numbers and expected impact. Methods: Excess influenza‐associated mortality in Poland from 2000 to 2019 was calculated using Seasonal‐Trend Decomposition Procedure based on LOESS (STL), which can detect non‐linear trends and non‐sinusoidal cycles. Excess mortality was then used as an explanatory variable in a model predicting monthly fluctuations of officially recorded causes of death from 2010 to 2019. Results: A total of 142,000 conservative estimates of influenza‐associated deaths were identified, representing 1.86% of overall mortality. Only 0.61% of influenza‐associated deaths were officially recorded as influenza. Nearly half of certified influenza deaths were attributed to the seasonal baseline mortality, potentially doubling estimated impact based solely on influenza peaks. Influenza‐associated deaths were frequently recorded as respiratory diseases (24.36%), with majority attributed to underlying conditions such as cardiovascular diseases (45.31%), cancer (9.06%), or diabetes (2.66%). Influenza‐associated deaths were more commonly certified as nervous system diseases (1.84%) or mental disorders (1.04%), rather than influenza itself. There was a noticeable impact of influenza on secondary infections, such as meningococcal and gastrointestinal infections. Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of improved estimation for informing public health policy decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients between 2018 and 2022. We analysed the medical records of 625 patients. During the COVID-19 pandemic, compared with the pre-COVID-19 pandemic period, the duration of the cancer diagnostic process was significantly longer, the proportion of patients admitted on the basis of a DILO card issued by a primary care physician was significantly higher, and the majority of cancer patients with a planned oncological treatment lived in urban areas. The aim of this study was to identify and assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients of the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery of the 4th Military Teaching Hospital in Wroclaw for whom oncological treatment was planned by a cancer case board between March 2018 and February 2022. We analysed the medical records of 625 patients. In order to verify whether the relationships between the analysed features were statistically significant, the chi-square test of independence and the Student's t-test for independent samples were used (p < 0.05). Our analysis showed that the impact of the pandemic on the organization of health service delivery to HNC patients was not uniform. The largest difference in the number of formulated treatment plans was observed at the beginning of the pandemic (22.1% reduction compared with the year before the pandemic). During the pandemic, the proportion of patients admitted on the basis of a DILO (diagnosis and oncological treatment) card issued by a primary care physician, instead of a regular referral to hospital, issued also by a primary care physician, was significantly higher compared with the that during the pre-pandemic period. The majority of cancer patients with a oncological treatment planned during the pandemic lived in urban areas. During the pandemic, the number of patients with more-advanced-stage cancer, assessed on the basis of the type of planned treatment (radical vs. palliative), did not increase compared with that during the pre-pandemic period. However, our follow-up period was quite short. It is necessary to intensify activities aimed at promoting health and increasing health awareness in people living in rural areas and setting long-term priorities and objectives for health policies at the national, regional and local levels, with particular focus on this group of people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review argues that history merits a place amongst the subjects which constitute interdisciplinary public health. It claims that three aspects of historical study can inform the contemporary thinking of public health practitioners. First, demographic trends over the very long term yield insights into fundamental drivers of human longevity and wellness. Second, the history of medicine in public health teaches us that medical science is not simply a progression of therapeutic discoveries, but a type of knowledge always situated in a social and cultural context. Third, the history of policy-making for health alerts us to issues of power and vested interest that surround attempts to advance public health goals in the political arena. This last contention is then illustrated through a case study which examines a historical puzzle peculiar to Poland. What were the reasons for the striking decline in cigarette consumption that followed the fall of the Berlin Wall, when all expectations were that the opposite should occur? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Therapy based on medicinal cannabis or medical marijuana has attracted much international attention in recent years. Aim of the study: To assess the sale of medical marijuana in the Warminsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship between March 2019 and September 2020, estimate medical marijuana demand, and attempt to explain at least some of the reasons for the identified discrepancies. Material and methods: The study used data on medical marijuana sales in the Warminsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship collected by the Voivodeship Pharmaceutical Inspectorate in Olsztyn. Results: Medical marijuana is sold in trace amounts in the Warminsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship, although the available data indicate a dynamic increase in sales. Conclusions: Medical marijuana is available for sale in pharmacies in Poland in the form of pharmaceutical raw material. Currently, its sale, at least in the Warminsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship, is particularly small, though it is very likely that its future sales will increase. Despite this, there are no readily available reliable sources of information in Poland about the known benefits and dangers of medical marijuana use. In this situation, reliable knowledge needs to be disseminated to doctors and patients to safely achieve its therapeutic potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last 20 years we can observe a divergence in health policies with respect to tobacco and alcohol that has led to significant health consequences. Poland experienced a significant increase in alcohol consumption accompanied by negative health and social consequences while, on the other hand, tobacco consumption went significantly down. Excise duty is one of the most important drivers for that. Alcohol excise policy was very passive, which resulted in a huge increase in the economic affordability of alcohol. Between 1999 and 2021 the number of bottles of vodka the disposable income could buy went up by 176%. At the same time, the tobacco tax policy was active so that the economic affordability of cigarettes did not change at all. This article presents the data on taxes, affordability and tax revenues and tries to explain this divergence. Three perspectives (health, financial and political) are sketched to show the predominant incentives for the players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent studies indicate that the treatment of obesity is unsuccessful. The cause of this situation is that patients are not sufficiently educated about therapeutic methods and the health consequences of not treating obesity. Moreover, obesity prevention strategies differ significantly between EU countries. Objective: The primary aim of this study was to examine and compare the level of obesity-related knowledge and illness perception among obese patients from Poland and Germany. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional international multicentre study was conducted. The study included 564 subjects above 18 years old (210 German patients and 354 Polish patients) with obesity. A validated custom-made questionnaire was used to evaluate obesity-related knowledge. Patient illness perception was evaluated using Polish and German language versions of the standardized Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ). Results: Obese patients from Germany had significantly higher level of obesity-related knowledge than patients from Poland (22.01 ± 4.68 vs 19.17 ± 6.59, p< 0.0001). Obesity-related knowledge was associated with the patient's education, patient participation in therapeutic educational programs, patient's perception of the illness, age and the number of healthcare professionals involved in the patient's treatment process. Conclusion: The level of obesity-related knowledge among both Polish and German patients is unsatisfactory. This study suggests that health education is required to facilitate informed choices and support the use of cognitive approaches educating patients on the health consequences of obesity. [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.)

Hospital Based Health Technology Assessment (HB-HTA) is a new policy implemented in Poland to allow for a more practical and contextualized assessment related to the use of specific medical procedures, devices, or equipment. It requires changes in governance relating to the healthcare sector. One of the forms of governance improvement is to involve society in the process of creating public services. This can be implemented, e.g., by applying the pragmatic model of public responsiveness. The aim of this research was to identify and analyze forces which will shape a dynamic process in determining the implementation of HB-HTA. The results obtained in the Gioia analysis led to the identification of the main forces driving and restraining the implementation of HB-HTA. The grouping and interpretation allowed for the twelve most important dimensions to be distinguished, which were recognized as conceptual categories necessary to build theories that describe the studied phenomenon. This study contributes to the development of the idea of responsiveness in public management theory and in health care services, and ultimately helps to better enable the adjustment of health services to the dynamically changing needs of Polish society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The scope and schedule of immunization in Poland is regulated by the Immunization Programme prepared and announced by the State Sanitary Inspector. There are two kinds of vaccines: compulsory vaccines, financed by the state budget at the disposal of the Minister of Health, and vaccines recommended by the central health authorities but financed by local governments within health policy programmes. Compulsory vaccines cover people up to 19 years of age and individuals at higher risk of infections. The public health programmes organized and financed by local governments play an important role in infectious disease control in the country. Objective: The objective of this study is to analyse health policy programmes including immunization programmes, which were developed, implemented and financed by local government units of all levels in Poland between 2016 and 2019. Material and Methods: This analysis covers data compiled by voivodes and submitted to the Minister of Health as annual information on public health tasks carried out by local government units. From the aggregate information, data on all health policy programmes conducted by individual local government units between 2016 and 2019, including immunization, were extracted and analysed. The data were obtained pursuant to the provisions of the act on access to public information. Results: In the analysed period, local government units implemented a total of 1737 health policy programmes that financed the purchase of vaccines, qualification tests for immunization and carrying out immunization by authorized medical entities. Among the vast majority of programmes, promotional activities were also implemented. Conclusions: In Poland, local governments are deeply engaged in the immunization of their citizens by organizing and financing specific health care programmes. These programmes are an essential addition to the state financial resources in infectious disease control. This engagement expresses local government maturity regarding the health needs of the population and public health measures. Communes are the most engaged units among all levels of local governments. It is probably due to close mutual communication between the people and local governments. The growing awareness of the important role of HPV immunization in the prevention of cervical cancer among local government units is reflected in the increase in the number of girls vaccinated against HPV and the increase in financial resources allocated for primary HPV prevention. The decrease in the number of people vaccinated against pneumococci may result from including pneumococcal vaccines in the compulsory immunization schedule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: In November 2017, medical cannabis was legalized in Poland. Until now, there have been no studies conducted to examine the perspectives of Polish physicians about their preferences regarding medical cannabis legal status and educational needs. (2) Methods: The survey was a self-developed online questionnaire with 57 participants. Participation was voluntary. The link was shared through a personal network of medical doctors, regional medical chambers, and with doctors attending palliative care courses organized by our research group. Results: Between June and October 2020, 173 HCPs from Poland completed the survey. More than half of the study participants never received any education on medical cannabis (60.1%); 71.1% declared their knowledge was insufficient to counsel patients about medical cannabis use. The majority claimed that they would like to be able to answer patient questions (92.4%); 93.1% declared a need to create clear guidelines for using cannabinoids in clinical practice. Furthermore, 71.7% believed that medicines containing cannabinoids and 52.0% that herbal cannabis should be reimbursed (3). Conclusion: Most medical doctors do not feel prepared for patient counseling. They could benefit from targeted educational interventions. We have also identified physicians' preferences that might inspire the stakeholders involved who are critical for shaping policies regarding cannabis-based therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]