Witold A. Zatoński

Cohort Profile: The Polish-Norwegian Study (PONS) cohort

The PONS cohort is a longitudinal observational regional study collecting information on health and health-related behaviours in the south-eastern part of Poland. The study aims at providing information on determinants of health differences between Poland and other countries in the region, especially related to premature mortality. The baseline data collection contains records for 13xa0172 individuals (2010-11), between 45 and 64 years of age, from the city of Kielce and surrounding rural area. All cohort members were volunteer participants and gave informed consent prior to inclusion. Data were collected on current health status, medical history and health-related behaviours with focus on preventable causes of chronic diseases, including tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity and dietary habits. In addition to an extensive questionnaire, blood and urine samples were collected for storage. The study is expected to provide valuable evidence related to various lifestyle behaviours and health, and insight into the usefulness of population approaches for preventive interventions in Polish communities. To access data or biological material or to use the sample to recruit participants for new studies, researchers should contact the principal investigator, Witold A Zatonski at: [canepid@coi.waw.pl].

Treatment of tobacco dependence among HIV-infected patients: rationale and preliminary actions taken in Poland

Tobacco smoking and non-communicable diseases related to tobacco use are currently the most important health challenges in population of HIV positive patients, also in Poland. Treatment of tobacco dependence in HIV-infected individuals is now emerged as one of the most important areas for clinical care. One of the rationale for intensifying smoking cessation efforts in HIV population comes from epidemiological observations suggesting that tobacco smoking is responsible for 7 years of life lost in HIV-infected smokers. The Health Promotion Foundation in collaboration with the HIV specialised medical society in Poland has launched a multi-component programme aimed at reducing the prevalence of tobacco smoking in HIV population at least by half in the next years. The programme involves several activities: (1) research aimed at characterising the smoking epidemic among HIV positive patients in Poland; (2) assessment and capacity building in smoking cessation among healthcare professionals who treat HIV patients; as well as (3) formulation of recommendations for a comprehensive nationwide programme of tobacco dependence treatment in this group of patients in Poland.

Lung cancer mortality decline among middle-aged men and women in Poland and the UK

In the early 1990s Poland was the country with the highest levels of lung cancer in Europe, especially among men. According to an analysis published in the Lancet in May 2017 (GBD-2015-1), in the years 1990-2015 Poland had one of the fastest smoking prevalence declines in Europe. This was accompanied by a steady lung cancer decline, also one of the fastest in Europe, that began among men in 1990, and among women in 2005. This article analyses the pace of decline in lung cancer mortality in middle-aged (35-54-year-old) men and women in Poland and the UK. If current trends continue in both countries, optimal conditions for the eradication of lung cancer in both countries could be achieved in the years 2020-2030. KeY WOrDS: lung cancer, mortality, middle-aged men and women, Poland, UK. aDDreSS fOr cOrreSpOnDence: Witold A. Zatoński, Professor of Medicine, Health Promotion Foundation, Mszczonowska 51 Street, 05-830 Nadarzyn, Poland, phone +48 22 378 00 22, e-mail: wazatonski@promocjazdrowia.pl DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/jhi.2017.7420