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.

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.