Poland faces kidney disease crisis and rising obesity rates

Recent health data in Poland highlights a growing crisis in kidney disease alongside shifting cardiovascular risk factors. Experts from the Polish Society of Nephrology estimate that up to 4.7 million Poles suffer from chronic kidney disease, yet only 5 percent are aware of their diagnosis. This condition, which causes over 80,000 deaths annually, is often asymptomatic in its early stages, leading to late-stage detection when treatment may only slow progression rather than cure the disease.

In contrast, the WOBASZ3 national cardiovascular health study reveals positive trends in smoking rates, which have dropped from 31 percent to 17 percent over the last two decades. Additionally, the number of patients with well-controlled hypertension has nearly doubled. However, health officials warn of a rising obesity epidemic; excessive body weight affects 18 million Poles, with obesity rates reaching 39 percent. Medical professionals emphasize that while smoking prevention has been successful, addressing obesity and metabolic disorders remains a critical challenge for the national healthcare system.