POLSCREEN: Polish Program for the Prevention of Coronary Disease

The largest population-based study in the world, which involves the assessment of the frequency of coronary disease factors in general practice. The program was developed by the Prevention Committee of the Polish Cardiac Society and implemented with a research grant from Polpharma in the years 2002–2005.

Number of patients covered: approx. 730,000
Number of health facilities involved in the program: approx. 3,600
Number of physicians involved in the program: approx. 7,600

In addition, since 2003 the company has been supporting the World Heart Day – another initiative of the Polish Cardiac Society. Polpharma sponsors preventive screening during the picnics organized to promote heart disease prevention.

In recognition of its activity, the Polish Cardiac Society has awarded Polpharma the title of the Partner of Polish Cardiology five times. This is the highest honor granted by the cardiac society in Poland. Beforehand, Polpharma was awarded the title of the Friend of Polish Cardiology three times.

Solution to Forgetfulness

A social campaign initiated in June 2009. Its objective is to highlight the role of the family in the identification of first symptoms of memory impairment in the elderly. The campaign stresses how important it is for the relatives who see mild memory impairment in their parents or grandparents to encourage them to see a doctor.

When we observe mild memory impairment in elderly people, we often consider it to be natural. However, it needs to be noted that the changes that bring chaos into everyday life do not have to be due only to the effects of ageing. A professional is able to carry out a few simple tests to identify emerging disorders and to recommend the right therapy.               

Beata Tyszkiewicz is the ambassador of the campaign, and the technical support for the campaign is provided by Anna Izabella Brzezińska, Professor of Psychology, and Adam Stępień, Professor of Neurology. A website has been launched for the purposes of the campaign: www.memo.pl providing a compendium of information on the identification and treatment of early symptoms of memory disorders, including memory improvement games and exercises.

The Polish Sexual Health Program

Program launched in 2008, is a social campaign to promote sexual health, innovative in its format and communication approach. Its objective is to educate the society about how sexual health affects all spheres of life, including overall fitness, mental health and social relations.      
         
The activities carried out as part of the program are addressed to the medical society, patients, their families and friends, and the public as a whole. They include projects implemented together with organizations for people with disabilities (FAR), arts and photography contests, aid to those with sexual health issues, and educational websites: www.opzs.pl and www.zlotysrodek.com. In addition, the program includes a very active Facebook profile: “seks to zdrowie” (Sex is healthy).

The objective of the program is to familiarize people with the issue of sexual health, and to persuade Poles that they have the right to be happy, which includes the capability to enjoy sexual life. 

A shame not to ask – Herpes-free pregnancy

The campaign launched in 2008, was addressed to pregnant women and to those planning to get pregnant, as well as to doctors. Its objective is to provide information on the risks of herpes virus infections (HSV types 1 and 2), and genital herpes in particular, for expecting mothers.

A survey carried out by OBOP for Polpharma shows that only 21% of the respondents were aware that herpes is harmful to the fetus. The campaign includes: educational activities at the www.bezopryszczki.pl website, development and dissemination of educational and information materials for women, a poster campaign in ob-gyn clinics, cooperation with institutions which directly communicate with pregnant women (such as those providing antenatal classes), as well as information and education activities addressed to doctors and journalists.

The campaign is supported by recognized Polish physicians: Sławomir Majewski, Professor of Dermatology, MD PHD, and Tomasz Niemiec, Professor of Gynaecology, MD PhD, as well as the ambassadors: Paulina Smaszcz-Kurzajewska, the author of the bestseller “Mama i tata – to my!”, and Odeta Moro-Figurska, the founder of the Happy Motherhood Foundation.