Periodic health checks for adults – an effective prevention tool?

Periodic health checks are the primary health and active prevention of many diseases in children healthcare. Adults periodic health checks do not exist. Reports on the health situation of Polish population show that there is a lot to improve. Private health centers offer many preventive programs. These programs are created for the needs of commerce. They are addressed to the wealthy people with active understanding of health. An analysis of preventive examinations offered in private health insurance shows that this is the result of: current medical knowledge, health marketing, wishful thinking. Objective of the proposed examinations is to show the uniqueness of patients. These prevention programs are not available for everyone. This shows the social stratification also in medical services. National health politics guidelines do involve prevention programs. These programs are directed to a specific group of patients. The degree of program realization is very different and therefore cannot be the basis for reliable health care. Properly developed and regularly performed health checks are the future of health prevention. Screening must be properly matched to the gender and age of the patients. Such screening provides better health care and help to prevent the development of disability in severe diseases of civilization. Private health packages and programs, financed by the State or local governments, do not include a psychologist and psychiatrist consultation. Ophthalmic examination and spirometry or any specific prevention program for smokers and obese people are also excluded.