The health of Warsaw residents – the diagnosis is in

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A speaker is standing in front of a group of about fifteen people and giving a presentation. He is showing a slide with a title related to the history of the inhabitants of Warsaw. The participants are seated in rows, facing the screen. On the left, there is a camera recording the event. In the background, boards with the institution’s logo are visible.
How has the health of the capital’s residents changed over the past decade? Which conditions were diagnosed most frequently? What are the prospects for the coming years? These questions are addressed in a report prepared by specialists from the Faculty of Health Sciences at WUM in cooperation with the City of Warsaw Office. The data presented in the report make it possible to better plan municipal health programs and adapt them to real challenges.

A model partnership between the city and the university

The premiere of the report “The health of Warsaw residents – the health status of the capital’s inhabitants in 2013–2023” took place during a special press conference attended by Prof. Rafał Krenke, Rector of WUM, Renata Kaznowska, Deputy Mayor of Warsaw, Jarosław Jóźwiak, Chair of the Health Committee of the Warsaw City Council, and the report’s scientific editor, Prof. Mariusz Panczyk from the Department of Education and Research in Health Sciences at WUM.

“Studying the health status of Warsaw residents and cooperating with the city authorities perfectly fits our mission. We provide solid scientific data that can serve as the basis for rational and effective administrative decisions. We always offer our support, including scientific knowledge, research, and clinical expertise. Together we work for the development of Warsaw,” emphasized Rector Prof. Rafał Krenke. 

“Thank you very much for the opportunity to work together on this report. It is extremely important and valuable to us because it provides a comprehensive diagnosis of the health of Warsaw residents. It will serve as a guide for our further actions,” said Deputy Mayor Renata Kaznowska.

Report findings: trends and signals for the city

The report was prepared on the basis of an analysis of data on the incidence of selected groups of diseases and specific health events, based on the number of medical services provided to Warsaw residents. The data come from the National Health Fund (NFZ) and include visits in primary care, outpatient specialist care, and hospital treatment at healthcare facilities operating in Warsaw, regardless of their ownership or organizational form.

Why is this document important for the city? The report’s scientific editor, Prof. Mariusz Panczyk from the Department of Education and Research in Health Sciences at WUM, explained:

“The report fits into the concept of a data-driven city. Such a city uses its resources, including financial resources, rationally and responsibly by allocating funds where the needs are greatest.”

The report covers seven key areas of health that represent the greatest challenges for the city: cancer, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic diseases, mental disorders, respiratory diseases, prenatal care, and postpartum care. These are the areas in which the authorities should undertake action, both in prevention and in diagnostics and treatment.

As Professor Panczyk emphasized, individual numbers are not the most important element of the report. What matters most is what happens over consecutive years, as this shows the dynamics of disease incidence. He also pointed out the sharp decline in diagnoses in 2020 and 2021, reminding that during this period the coronavirus pandemic made access to medical services difficult or even impossible for many patients.

The most common conditions and changes in incidence

The data concerning cervical cancer are encouraging, as the incidence among women in Warsaw has decreased. The number of lung cancer cases is also declining. An interesting trend is the equalization of incidence between women and men: in the past, men predominated, while the current data show that the distribution is now roughly equal. Unfortunately, colorectal cancer remains a major problem. The most concerning trend, however, is the increasing incidence of breast cancer and prostate cancer.

Cardiovascular diseases show relative stability. Heart attacks and strokes, which for years were the leading cause of death, are now being overtaken by oncological diseases.

“Here we can see the significant contribution and effective work of emergency intervention centers,” emphasized Prof. Mariusz Panczyk.

The increase in arterial hypertension is worrying, though not surprising. The burden of cardiovascular diseases is increasingly concentrated in the population aged 65 and older, particularly among male residents of Warsaw.
The most significant upward trend has been recorded in obesity, both among adults and adolescents. An increase has also been observed in diabetes, which is closely associated with obesity.

"The burden on the healthcare system in the case of patients with diabetes is very high because it requires interdisciplinary teams and comprehensive treatment,” said Professor Panczyk.

He added that for both cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, lifestyle changes are crucial, especially increased physical activity and healthier dietary habits.
Mental health is another key challenge, as the problem has been growing for years and affects all groups: children, adolescents, young adults, adults, and seniors. The authors of the report highlighted a particularly strong increase in two phenomena among residents of the capital: anxiety disorders and the growing need for depression treatment. They also pointed to limited access to psychiatric care.

Report page: “The health of Warsaw residents – the health status of the capital’s inhabitants in 2013–2023”

 

Around twenty people are sitting in a room and listening to a presentation. Three speakers are seated at the front, and one person is standing at the lectern, addressing the audience. Several people are operating a camera positioned on the left. The participants are looking toward a screen displaying content related to the health of Warsaw’s residents. The atmosphere in the room is calm.
A person is standing behind a lectern and speaking to the audience. They are resting their hands on the podium and looking ahead. A microphone is positioned right next to them. In the background, a blue wall with the repeating logo of the Medical University of Warsaw is visible.
A person is standing at a lectern and delivering a speech. They are looking toward the audience and resting their hands on the podium. A microphone is positioned next to the lectern. Beside it, there is a blue wall featuring the logo of the Medical University of Warsaw. On the screen nearby, a slide appears with a title concerning the health of the residents of Warsaw.
Several people are sitting in rows and participating in a meeting. The person in the foreground is holding a notebook and looking toward the speaker. Next to them sits another person facing the same direction. In the background, more people can be seen following the event. A few individuals are standing at the back of the room operating equipment.
A person is standing at a lectern and giving a speech. They are resting their hands on the podium and looking toward the audience. A microphone is positioned next to them. In the background, a blue wall with the logo of the Medical University of Warsaw is visible. Next to it, there is a screen displaying a slide concerning the health of the residents of Warsaw.
A person is standing and giving a presentation, holding a microphone in one hand and a slide remote in the other. They are looking toward the audience. In the background, there is a blue wall with the logo of the Medical University of Warsaw. The speaker is standing close to the screen used during the presentation.