Men in Poland live on average 7 years less than women, according to the report „7 lat różnicy. Zdrowie mężczyzn w Polsce 2026” („7 Years of Difference. Men’s Health in Poland 2026”) by Prof. Piotr Radziszewski of WUM. More than half of this gap is made up of deaths before the age of 65.
The report was presented at the seat of the Patient Ombudsman. Its author, Prof. Piotr Radziszewski, MD, PhD, of the Medical University of Warsaw (WUM), argues that premature mortality among men is a problem that can be reduced. The Patient Ombudsman announced the presentation on X.
What the Data Show
According to the report, in its analysis of 2023, more than half of the difference in life expectancy between women and men was linked to higher mortality among men before the age of 65. As the PAP news agency reports, citing analyses by the National Institute of Public Health NIH – National Research Institute (NIZP PZH – PIB), this is nearly 52% of the difference. It concerns the period of working and family life.
Citing Statistics Poland (GUS) data, Newsmax Polska reports that in 2025 average life expectancy was 75.37 years for men and 82.48 years for women.
„A shorter life for men cannot be something we have grown used to. (…) Premature death takes away shared years from entire families,” said Prof. Piotr Radziszewski.
Research Exists, Follow-Up Is Lacking
The report analyses the stages at which men lose the chance of a longer life: from undiagnosed risk and delayed diagnostics, through lack of adequate care, to the situation after receiving an abnormal test result. A representative of the Patient Ombudsman said at the conference that men do go for tests, but often „get lost” in the system afterwards, as follow-up and further care are lacking.
As an illustration, the share of men among participants of the „Moje Zdrowie” („My Health”) programme was given as 37.45%, according to PAP.
The author also points to systemic barriers. Patients often have to coordinate tests themselves and, after a worrying result, decide on their own which specialist to see.
Recommendations
- ensuring continuity of care after an abnormal test result, including automatic referral for further diagnostics,
- closer cooperation between primary healthcare, occupational medicine and specialist care.
These are proposals from the report’s authors, not decisions of the Ministry of Health. As of publication, we have found no announcement of changes to regulations.
What It Means
For men under 65, the practical conclusion is this: simply taking a test, for example within the „Moje Zdrowie” programme or through occupational medicine, does not end the matter. If a result is abnormal, further diagnostics should be arranged with a family doctor or specialist. The report describes average population data and does not replace individual medical advice.
