Longevity: why do Poles live shorter than Western Europeans?

Poland still clearly trails Western Europe in life expectancy and years lived in good health. According to Robert Mordaka, a public health specialist, prevention and everyday habits are crucial. "We are lagging behind not only in terms of average life expectancy, but also in the number of years we spend in good health. And that is a metric that really needs to be improved," Mordaka told Euronews during the Economic Forum in Karpacz. He pointed out that around 60% of deaths are caused by two major groups of illnesses: cardiovascular diseases and cancers. In both cases, prevention and earlier intervention in response to risk factors can play a key role. Prevention in Poland is still underfunded According to the doctor, the problem does not come down solely to individual choices made by Poles. The way the healthcare system operates is also crucial. Poland is among the EU countries that devote the smallest share of health spending to preventive care. "The EU average is around 6% of health budgets, while in Poland it is just under 2%. And without funding it is impossible to reverse this trend," Mordaka said. At the same time, many of the factors that affect the length and quality of life remain in patients' own hands. Mordaka draws attention to the so-called Life's Essential 8 – eight areas that are critical to cardiovascular health. These include keeping blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol under control, maintaining a healthy body weight, getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet and not smoking. Regular physical activity is also vital. "These are the small, everyday choices. Do we go to the shop and buy a sugary drink, or do we buy water instead?" the expert asked. Obesity and smoking can cut life expectancy by many years One of the biggest current threats to health is obesity. According to Mordaka, studies indicate that it can shorten life by as much as 15 years. Another major factor is smoking, which can take several years off life expectancy, depending on how many cigarettes are smoked per day and how long the habit continues. A lack of physical activity also has a negative impact on how long we live. That is why one of the simplest ways to improve health is to increase the amount of movement in everyday life. The expert advises starting with two basic elements: reviewing your diet and increasing your physical activity. "Let’s take a close look at how we eat. Let’s plan a healthy plate and adapt it to our age and state of health. And the second thing: let’s start moving," Mordaka urged. "Exercise is the best medicine," the expert concluded. According to World Health Organization guidelines, adults should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week. This does not have to mean intensive workouts; it can be brisk walking, cycling or other forms of moderate exercise.