As part of the 18th Forum of Patients' Organisations (FOP), the report 'POLKI AND POLACIANS, A CHOROBY AND HEALTH' was presented, which was produced in collaboration between the Sociomedical Research Centre and the Institute for Patients' Rights and Health Education. The survey asked about concerns about diseases and health attitudes. It shows that cancer, strokes and Alzheimer's disease are the biggest fears of Poles. This is followed by depression and obesity, and by far the least fear of infectious diseases, i.e. HIV, flu and COVID-19. In relation to illness, respondents are most afraid of disability, loss of income and dependence on others. Death and loneliness are also feared in relation to illness.
The analysis observed that there is a highly variable level of fear associated with the diseases recognised by the WHO as current threats to global health, while at the same time, taking into account demographic factors such as gender, age, place of residence, income and education, an insufficient amount of preventive action taken to protect against contracting these diseases was noted. This paradoxical result of the study suggests that, despite their relatively high fear of diseases, Polish women and men have difficulties in translating fear into concrete, health-promoting decisions and behaviours.
KEY FINDINGS OF THE REPORT.
CONCERNS OF POLES AND POLAND IN THE CONTEXT OF MAJOR HEALTH THREATS.
- Cancer is the biggest source of concern for Polish women and men taking part in the survey; nearly two-thirds (62%) female respondents reported fears related to this disease. This group of diseases was clearly identified by the vast majority of people as the first in the ranking of health concerns. Regardless of age, place of residence or gender, cancer is the most feared.
- Next on the list of diseases most feared by male and female respondents are strokes (51%) - fear of contracting the disease was indicated by one in two people participating in the survey. The next most feared diseases among Polish men and women surveyed were Alzheimer's disease feared by 47% respondents and chronic rare diseases feared by 45% respondents.
- A similar proportion of respondents are afraid of contracting the coronary heart disease (37%) and for depression (36%). Slightly fewer (35%) are afraid of getting diabetes. It is noteworthy that there is significant variation in the level of concern between Polish women and men about diseases such as cirrhosis (30%), obesity (25%) or HIV/AIDS (24%), which are also objects of noticeable social concern, although at a much lower level than the previously mentioned conditions.
- Declaratively respondents were least concerned about contracting influenza (20%) and COVID-19 (20%).
CONCERNS OF POLISH PEOPLE ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES OF DISEASES
- The survey also asked respondents what they feared most in relation to their illness. The results clearly indicate that the main concern of society is disability caused by a disease feared by nearly three quarters of respondents (72%).
- In addition to disability, respondents highlighted other issues of deep concern to them in the context of illness. In second place was Concern for treatment finances, which was indicated by 71% male and female respondents. It is clear that the economic aspects of healthcare are a significant element of public concern.
- Further down the list of health concerns, significant fear is dependence on others (67%), fear of losing independence and having to rely on the help of others.
- A significant number of people surveyed in the study feared a loss of income as a result of their illness (61%) and that they would not be able to care for relatives as a result of their illness (57%).
- Śmierci, which is a natural fear in the face of serious diseases, fears 56% Polish women and men. A very important aspect that also emerged in the study is the fear associated with loneliness, caused by the disease indicated 50% male and female respondents.
HEALTH-SEEKING BEHAVIOUR OF POLES AND POLISH PEOPLE IN THE FACE OF CONCERNS.
Despite the high indications of declared fears of specific diseases and the fears that are associated with contracting these diseases, many people surveyed admitted that they do not take preventive measures to avoid them.
- A positive result of the study is that three quarters (75%) of respondents said they had had basic blood tests in the past year.
- However, only one in two people (52%) had a preventive check-up, which indicates the need for health education and the promotion of research aimed at the early detection of potential health risks that Polish women and men are concerned about.