There were very different methods of health measurement and kinds of indicators used through the years, but a key objective of these indicators usage was, and still is, an improvement of health state. The complex, reliable, clear and standard methods of health measurement are needed to plan and introduce effective actions in health care. Despite many years of work on the indicators of health, the measure meeting all these conditions has not been constructed yet. At the beginning health indicators were mainly related to population health and communicable diseases. Currently, after a period of “medicalization” of measurement, a growing emphasis placed on indicators supporting the public health can be observed. In this article the development process of health measurement was briefly presented and some health indicators were described.

The aim of the study was to analyze the level and dynamics of changes in mortality from all causes of death as well as the main groups of causes i.e. cardiovascular diseases, cancer and external causes in Poland in the years 1999–2013 compared to the situation in the group of 15 countries that make up the European Union before the accession of new members in 2004. The analysis was carried out for the total population, people aged 25–64 years and older population of people aged 65 years and more.
The results of the analysis indicate a gradual improvement of the health status of the Polish population as evidenced by the declining fairly steadily mortality rates from main causes of death for people in the younger as well as older age groups. At the same time it should be stressed that, compared with the situation in the EU15 situation we observe in Poland cannot be regarded as satisfactory particularly in the case of men of working age.
Certainly cardiovascular diseases have to be considered as one of the most important health problems in Poland being a major threat to the life of Polish population which, while systematically decreasing, is still significantly higher than in most European Union countries. In addition, the pace of decline in mortality rates due to these diseases when compared to the situation in the EU15 is still too slow to achieve in the real future average level of mortality in those countries. It should be noted that excess mortality from cardiovascular disease in men and women in Poland in relation to the inhabitants of EU15 countries is much larger than in the case of cancer mortality which proves the urgent need for more intensive and better targeted health policy in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Comparison between SCORE performance and the estimated risk of death due to cardiovascular disease in Poland

Polish Cardiac Society recommends to use SCORE tables to estimate the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in clinical practice.

The aim of the study was (1) to compare the estimates of the risk of death from cardiovascular disease (CVD) obtained by using a SCORE function calibrated for the Polish population in 2007 with the risk calculated from the observed number of CVD deaths in the last decade, and (2) to compare the estimates of the risk of death from CVD obtained by using a SCORE function calibrated for the Polish population in 2015 with the CVD risk estimated from the observed number of deaths in 2012, using data on the prevalence of risk factors from the two studies of the representative samples of Polish adult population (WOBASZ and WOBASZ 2).
The risk identified by the SCORE 2007 function was higher than the observed risk by 20–40% in men and 18–33% in women. This indicated that the SCORE 2007 function overestimated cardiovascular risk. The risk calculated by using the SCORE 2015 function was more similar to the CVD risk estimated by using the current mortality data. However, SCORE 2015 function may overestimate CVD risk in future if the decreasing mortality trend would persist in Poland.

The results of several epidemiological and clinical studies document male – female health differences. Apart from biological divergence, they reflect differences in social status of both sexes, their social roles and elements of life styles. The above indicates the necessity of discussing the health problems of men and women also separately. The article presents main characteristic of women’s health in Poland, with special stress put on chronic diseases causing their excess mortality and leading to disability. The text is based on a broader report “Polish Women 2013 – Health and its threats.”

This article aims to: (a) the reveal of selected aspects of the health situation of men in some countries and Poland, as well as a comparison with the situation of women, (b) a discussion of these disparities in the context of different patterns, practices and gender stereotypes, (c) an explanation of the research perspectives in health research related to gender, (d) the presentation of the advances which led to the interest in gender medicine. Particular attention was paid to the issues of life expectancy, mortality, morbidity, the prevalence of chronic disease risk factors, health behaviors, including those related to help seeking. In view of the observed health disparities the concepts of gender, masculinity and gender roles were explained. The current practices in gender health research were described.

 

Introduction.Health-relatedbehavioursare one of the crucial factors in maintaining health. They play a significant role in healthcare and quality of life. Considering a change in health-related habits, individuals may take up actions aimed at achieving the optimal standard of life. All factors that are considered to be determinants of health have indirect or direct influence on health-related behaviours and lifestyle. Factors that influence the development of health-related behaviours are predisposing factors (e.g. knowledge, beliefs), enabling factors (skills important for health) and reinforcing factors (social norms). Early conscious implementation of prophylactic actions may contribute to improvement in health quality and a decrease in the level of morbidity in population.

Objective. To assess therelationship between the level of knowledge and health-related behaviours in secondary school students. 

Material and methods.The study was carried out in a group of 1,036 students (688 girls and 348 boys) of the 1st, 2nd  and 3 rd form of a secondary school. The study was conducted by means of a diagnostic survey with the use of an anonymous own questionnaire assessing the students' knowledge in the scope of selected risk factors for diseases of affluence in an electronic form. Also, the Inventory of Health-Related Behaviours (IZZ) was used in the study.

Results.The mean score in the scope of knowledge of diseases of affluence was 14.17. The 1st-grade students demonstrated the lowest level of knowledge in comparison to the 2nd-grade students (p=0.0000) and 3rd-grade students (p=0.0004). A low level of health-related behaviours was observed in 42.52% of the respondents. In the students with a high level of knowledge the IZZ score (83.00 pts) was significantly higher in than the students with an average level of knowledge (77.54 pts), p=0.0000 or with a low one (74.86 pts), p=0.0000.

Conclusions.1/. The respondents demonstrated an average level of knowledge in the scope of the analyzed risk factors for diseases of affluence, and mostly a low level of health-related behaviours. The level of knowledge depends on the level of education. 2/. The students' limited level of knowledge of risk factors for diseases of affluence and the correlated low level of health-related behaviours indicate a necessity to implement or enhance healthcare education as early as in the 1st grade of the secondary school.

Introduction. Family functioning has an influence on teenagers' attitudes and emotions. Suppressing emotions usually leads to their intensification or may contribute to persistent emotional distress, which may underlie addiction,disturbed behaviour, neurotic or psychosomatic disorders. 

Objective.To assess the relationship between the perceived family support and the level of emotional control in the group of teenage respondents.

Material and methods.The cross-sectional study was carried out in a group of 1,036 students of secondary schools (688 girls and 348 boys) aged 16-19. The study was conducted by means of a diagnostic survey with the use of an anonymous questionnaire in an electronic form. In the study the Family APGAR scale and the Emotional Control Scale (CECS) were used.

Results.Occurrence of a serious dysfunction in family relationships consisting in failure to receive support was observed in 13.42% (n=139) of the respondents, and in abnormalities in the level of the perceived support in 27.7% (n=287) of the respondents. According to the Family APGAR scores, a lower level of the perceived family support was revealed in girls as compared to boys (χ²= 9.32; p=0.009). The rate of suppressing emotions was higher in boys than in girls (p=0.0017). The differences were particularly distinct in areas of expressing fear and anger. A higher level of suppressing negative emotions was observed in the students who revealed a serious dysfunction in family relationships (low level of the perceived support) in comparison to those in whom this type of dysfunction in family relationships (p=0.00000) was not observed.

Conclusions. 1/.A dysfunction in family functioning consisting in lack of support perceived by the youth is associated with suppressing negative emotions. 2/. Girls indicate lack of support in the family more often. 3/. Boys suppress fear and anger to a greater extent than girls, whereas girls are more likely to suppress depression.

Introduction. Personal health locus control is related to health behavior presented by adult people. Persons with the internal health locus control, take greater responsibility for maintaining and improving their own health in comparison with people with the external health locus control pattern. It is anticipated that the internal health locus control might influence older adolescents to perform pro- health behaviors as well. 

Goal. To verify if there is a correlation between the health locus control and selected preventive behavior patterns presented by high school students.

Materials and methods. The study was conducted in a group of 1036 students (688 girls and 348 boys) aged 16-19 years. The Multidimensional Health Locus Control Scale (MHLC) and the Health Behavior Inventory (Preventive Behaviors) were used.

Results.In the study group, the mean value of the internal health locus control (24.51 points) was higher than two others:  18.18 points for the influence of other people and 17.94 points for the impact of the event. The influence of other people was stronger among 16 year olds (18.61 points) than in older student groups. In the group of 17-year-old students the importance of internal control (26.69 points) was the strongest. Concerning presented preventive behavior patterns  the  studied group of adolescents received an average score of 18.36 points; the value for women (18.62 points) was statistically higher than for men (17.85 points), p=0.023. The linear regression analysis proved a significant correlation between student preventive behaviors and the internal health locus control  (p = 0.000000, r² = 0.20), as well as  with the influence of other people (p = 0.000000; r² = 0.26).

Conclusions.1 /. In high school students the internal health locus control and the influence of others (especially among 16-year-olds) are correlated with health behaviors presented by young people. 2 / These results indicate a need for targeted interventions aiming to increase the internal health locus control in assuming the increasing responsibility of high school students for their own health behavior.

The objective of this article is to show the health status of the older population throughout European countries and indicate the data needs for a comprehensive comparative analysis of health status and its risk factors. The article briefly discusses definitions of health status in older age and presents adequate health status indicators. It discusses life expectancy, healthy life expectancy, disability adjusted life expectancy, the main causes of death as well as the prevalence of long-term illnesses, multimorbidity and functional health limitations across European countries, pointing out regional differences of the health status of older people. Next, several behavioural risks of poor health occurring in older age are shown: smoking, alcohol overuse and falls. The article concludes by demonstrating the need for more detailed, comparative and standardized data on the health status of older people across European countries, presenting sex and age-specific morbidity and health limitations as well as health risks.

Acknowledgments

This publication arises from the project Pro-Health 65+ which has received funding from the European Union, in the framework of the Health Programme (2008-2013).

The content of this publication represents the views of the authors and it is their sole responsibility; it can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Commission and/or the Executive Agency for Health and Consumers or any other body of the European Union. The European Commission and/or the Executive Agency do(es) not accept responsibility for any use that may be made of the information it contains.

Publication is financed from funds for science in the years 2015-2017 allocated for implementation of an international co-financed project.

Introduction:Despite studies to determine reasons for and to contain the global obesity epidemics, the 20+ year old population is gaining weight. The education by health training participation is a chance for a parallel work towards the nutrition habit change, the need to learn new or master old movement skills, and the discipline and motivation maintenance.

Purpose:Indication of the necessity of systemic obesity therapy solutions by ensuring the patient’s health training participation, self-regulated physical activity education, balanced diet introduction and psychological support.

Method:Systemic design method analysis to determine the optimal health training design algorithm.

Results:Health training design activity algorithm as per the modified analysis methods and Nadler’s systemic synthesis in the context of selected systemic concepts.

Conclusions:The systemic obesity therapy by health training participation and goal-setting education is a process whose effects will last long and result in the population’s physical condition improvement, irrespective of individual effects.