In brief

• The Ministry of Health plans to extend the National Health Programme until 2036.
• In Poland, the share of deaths that could be prevented through prevention is higher than the EU average.
• In 2025, the difference in life expectancy between Polish men and Polish women is over seven years.
• Smoking, unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity, among others, increase the risk of chronic diseases.

New data on men's life expectancy

In 2025, the average life expectancy of men in Poland was 75 years and 37 days, and for women 82 years and 48 days (Szokujące: połowa zgonów dotyczy mężczyzn przed emeryturą | Strona Zdrowia – stronazdrowia.pl) (Polacy żyją o siedem lat krócej niż Polki. Nowy raport ujawnia przyczyny – abczdrowie.pl). The difference in years lived exceeds seven years. An analysis conducted by Professor Piotr Radziszewski from the Medical University of Warsaw indicates that more than half of this difference results from higher mortality among men before reaching age 65 ([Polacy żyją 7 lat krócej, niż Polki. Jak poprawić opiekę? [RAPORT] - Puls Medycyny – pulsmedycyny.pl](https://pulsmedycyny.pl/medycyna/zdrowie-publiczne/polacy-zyja-7-lat-krocej-niz-polki-jak-poprawic-opieke-raport)). The author of the report notes that the problem concerns people of working age and those with families. The study, presented at the office of the Patient Ombudsman, is based on data from Polish public registers and Eurostat data.

Programme for the next decade

The Ministry of Health intends to extend the National Health Programme by ten years, meaning its implementation until 2036 (Narodowy Program Zdrowia 2027-2036. Co się zmieni w profilaktyce i ochronie zdrowia? - TVN24 – tvn24.pl) (Zgony, którym można zapobiec, częstsze niż w UE. Rząd planuje przedłużyć program profilaktyczny – portalsamorzadowy.pl). The draft regulation provides that the new rules will take effect from 1 January 2027 (Ministerstwo Zdrowia chce wydłużyć Narodowy Program Zdrowia o 10 lat | Strona Zdrowia – stronazdrowia.pl) (MZ chce wydłużyć Narodowy Program Zdrowia do 2036 roku. Niepokojące dane o zgonach w Polsce - wiadomości Medycyna i Zdrowie – politykazdrowotna.com). The ministry aims to ensure the continuity of preventive actions and more effective responses to the most serious health problems of society.

Deaths that could be prevented

The Ministry of Health reports that Poland has a higher share of deaths that could be prevented through preventive measures than the European Union average, according to OECD data. High mortality is mainly linked to civilisation diseases, such as cancers and diseases of the circulatory system.

Risk factors and costs

Smoking tobacco, excessive alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity increase the risk of developing chronic diseases. Only 1.7 percent of health expenditure is allocated to preventive measures, while treating the consequences of civilisation diseases generates much higher costs.

Who is responsible for implementation

Local governments, medical facilities and the National Health Fund, which finances preventive services, are responsible for implementing the programme.

Read also

• Mężczyźni żyją 7 lat krócej niż kobiety. Ponad połowa tej różnicy to zgony przed 65. rokiem życia