Prevention of overweight and obesity undertaken by local government units in Poland

Anna Augustynowicz; Aleksandra Czerw; Mariola Borowska; Andrzej Deptała; Grażyna Dykowska; Adam Fronczak

doi:10.1016/j.healthpol.2019.03.006

Prevention of overweight and obesity undertaken by local government units in Poland

Health Policy. 2019 May;123(5):499-502. doi: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2019.03.006. Epub 2019 Mar 13.

Authors

Anna Augustynowicz¹, Aleksandra Czerw², Mariola Borowska², Andrzej Deptała³, Grażyna Dykowska², Adam Fronczak⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Economics of Health and Medical Law, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland. Electronic address: aaugustynowicz@poczta.onet.pl.
² Department of Economics of Health and Medical Law, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland.
³ Department of Cancer Prevention, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland.
⁴ Department of Public Health, Medical University of Warsaw, Poland.

PMID: 30926135
DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2019.03.006

Abstract

Background: Based on the estimates of World Health Organization (WHO), in European Union countries overweight or obesity affects more than 60% of men and over 50% of women. According to the nationwide European Health Interview Survey (EHIS) survey conducted in 2014, in Poland over 62% of men and nearly 46% of women carried excess weight in 2014.

Objective: The objective of the paper is to present health policy programmes aimed at prevention of overweight and obesity developed, implemented and funded by local government units (self-governments of voivodeships, counties, municipalities) in Poland in 2010-2016.

Methods: The study was based on a desk research. It covered data from two sources, i.e. data included in annual reports formulated by voivodes and submitted to Minister of Health concerning all health policy programmes implemented by local government units and data published online as part of reviews of draft programmes by the Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Tariff System (AOTMiT).

Results: In the period under review local government units implemented a total of 333 overweight and obesity prevention programmes. 18 programmes were reviewed by AOTMiT. Most programmes have been implemented in the Zachodniopomorskie and Mazowieckie Voivodeships, whereas the least in the Podlaskie, Lubelskie and Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeships. Around 99% of municipalities, 97% of counties and 86% of self-governments of voivodeships did not complete any overweight and obesity prevention programmes in the period under review.

Conclusion: Insufficient engagement of local government units in the prevention of overweight and obesity - one of the primary objectives of the National Health Programme for 2007-2015 and 2016-2020. Differences in terms of the number of programmes implemented by particular types of local government units and the financial resources employed in the implementation of the programmes. Failure to fulfil the statutory obligation to obtain a review from AOTMiT. Failure to address the actual health needs of local communities related to overweight and obesity prevention by some of the voivodeships.

Keywords: Health policy programme; Local government unit; Obesity; Overweight.

MeSH terms

Female
Health Policy
Health Promotion
Humans
Local Government*
Male
Obesity / prevention & control
Overweight / prevention & control*
Poland
Preventive Health Services / statistics & numerical data*