2nd Women's Health Congress with Adamed Pharma support

The 2nd Women's Health Congress presented another opportunity to discuss the health of Polish women. Adamed Pharma, which has been involved in promoting prophylaxis and health education for years, was invited to partner this event. As emphasized by the organizers (“Żyjmy Zdrowo” Foundation), the key goal of the Congress is to enable in-depth discussion about critical issues: the health of women and their families.

The conversations that took place during the Congress were associated with overall health: both physical and mental well-being as well as engagement in prophylactic activities. The participants of five discussion panels talked about, among other things, women’s cancers, epidemics of the 21st century and health-related family security. The experts that spoke in the discussion included ministers, clinicians, patient advocacy representatives and others.

During the panel about “Health-related family security,” Katarzyna Dubno, Director for Public Affairs and Health Economics of Adamed Pharma, presented data about the health of Polish women based on the research report on the “Health of Poles”, which had been developed as part of the national social campaign called  “Adamed for Family.” The panel also engaged Marlena Maląg, Minister of Family and Social Policy, Sylwia Nieszporska, PhD from the Management Department of the Częstochowa University of Technology and Katarzyna Czyżewska, an attorney. 

In the analysis of the health of Polish women and men, it was underlined that paradoxically women, who tend to be more aware, less often take care for their own health-related well-being, use the selected prophylactic tests or report to visits with specialist physicians, such as pulmonologists or diabetes specialists. The conclusion that was put to discussion concerned the thesis that women care for their family’s health-related security more than for their own.

Katarzyna Dubno summarized: “Women tend to be more aware, but unfortunately this does not mean that their awareness is used for their own good.”

The responsibility for the family health that rests on women’s shoulders was analyzed during the discussion on multiple occasions. “A woman plays an exceptional role, and this is not merely a slogan, it is a fact. She devotes her time and wants to take care of her family’s health as best as she can. When a woman is single, she is also usually devoted to supporting others” – this was pointed out by the Minister of Family and Social Policy – Marlena Maląg. The Minister stated that in order to support women in these efforts, together with the Ministry of Family and Social Support, they are taking steps to expand prophylactic activities.

During the discussion, it was also underlined that health-related education of the entire society should be prioritized.

Katarzyna Dubno emphasized: “I would like to call for health-related education from the youngest age as this will translate to prophylaxis and improved awareness of health-related needs.”

Katarzyna Czyżewska, an attorney, shared these opinions and pointed out that we are currently lacking health-related education. As an example, she indicated educational activities in the field of ecology. “The example of ecology demonstrates how capable children are in absorbing knowledge provided to them from the youngest age,” stated attorney Katarzyna Czyżewska and called for similar solutions in terms of health-related education. Moreover, Sylwia Nieszporska addressed the audience with a similar message. In her statement, she reminded that the mechanism of care in interpersonal relationships should be based on the principle of reciprocity. “We are saying that we ourselves should start paying attention to our own health, but it is also important that our partners encourage us to get tested. Let the healthcare system support us in this as well. It is important that we are not alone in this process”, she stated.

The organizations that also made their speeches during the congress were: GenM, an organization dealing with women’s health, WHC foundation, SUWAK Consortium and Avalon Foundation. The Congress was concluded with awarding Female Health Creators of 2023.