Poland has introduced a new nationwide preventive healthcare initiative, “Moje Zdrowie” (“My Health“), offering free and comprehensive health checkups to all residents over the age of 20. The program, launched by the Ministry of Health through official regulation, aims to encourage regular health screenings and catch diseases at an early stage, particularly cardiovascular, metabolic, and oncological conditions.
This new initiative replaces the previous “Profilaktyka 40 Plus” program, broadening eligibility to younger adults and promoting proactive health behavior before risks escalate into serious medical conditions. According to Professor Łukasz Balwicki of Gdańsk Medical University and National Consultant for Public Health, while the program meets a growing need, testing alone won’t drastically improve public health outcomes—long-term behavioral changes are essential.
Simple Participation and Personalized Approach
One of the program’s key advantages is its accessibility. The process begins with a health questionnaire that can be completed online via the Patient Internet Account (IKP) or with help from doctors, nurses, midwives, or preventive care professionals. This survey explores lifestyle habits, risk factors for chronic and genetic diseases, education level, and living conditions. It also includes questions about physical activity, smoking, and mental well-being. For instance, participants are asked whether they engage in regular physical activity or have experienced feelings of depression or hopelessness in the past two weeks. Those aged 60 and above are given additional questions to screen for dementia.
Based on the responses and age, a personalized set of tests is recommended. Healthcare providers are then required to contact patients within 30 days to schedule exams.
Comprehensive Testing for Adults
Each participant receives a basic diagnostic package, including a full blood count, glucose, creatinine (with eGFR), lipid panel (total, LDL, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides), TSH levels, and urinalysis. Depending on risk factors, an extended package may also be offered. People over 50 will receive a fecal immunochemical test (FIT-OC) for colorectal cancer screening. All participants are provided with an individual vaccination calendar and a set of recommended health interventions such as education or consultations.
Health Minister Izabela Leszczyna emphasized the importance of adult health screenings. “While regular checkups are standard for children and teens, adults often neglect their health. That’s why we are now introducing a health balance for adults,” she said in an official statement.
Under the guidelines, people aged 20 to 49 can undergo health checkups every five years, while those over 49 are eligible every three years, provided at least 12 months have passed since their last “Profilaktyka 40 Plus” exam.
Expert Opinions and Future Concerns
Professor Balwicki points out that the program’s full potential lies in reaching populations at the highest risk—who are often the least likely to engage with preventive services. Still, he praises the program’s personalized follow-up consultation, which allows patients to discuss results with healthcare professionals. During these consultations, vital signs are measured, including blood pressure, heart rate, weight, height, waist and hip circumference, and calculations of BMI and WHR. Cardiovascular risk and cognitive function (for those over 60) are also assessed.
Patients then receive a detailed report analyzing their lab and questionnaire results, a personal health plan, a vaccination schedule, and a list of suggested preventive actions.
Balwicki underscores that lifestyle changes are critical for disease prevention: “We know encouraging healthier diets, more exercise, and reduced alcohol and tobacco use is vital. But we must also evaluate whether people are making these changes.” He expressed concern that the current program lacks a follow-up mechanism to monitor the effectiveness of the recommendations, stating, “We don’t yet know how these interventions will be tracked or evaluated—or if they will be at all. Patients need to feel that these recommendations are part of a continuous care process.”
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