The role of local and regional authorities in prevention and control of NCDs: the case of Poland

Robert Tabaszewski

doi:10.1186/s12914-020-00238-8

Robert Tabaszewski

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12914-020-00238-8

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Abstract

BackgroundFreedom from noncommunicable diseases is a component of the human right to health. The obligation to reduce the pandemic of civilisation diseases should result from the provisions of the constitution, national law and local regulations. This means that representatives of local and regional communities also take responsibility for limiting the pandemic of civilisation diseases.Main bodyThe goal of this debate is to examine the effectiveness of the decentralised polish model for dividing the competences of preventing and combating non-communicable diseases into three levels: local, regional and central. The representatives of regional and local communities are responsible for encouraging the inhabitants of their communities to change their lifestyle: eating habits, increase physical activity, remain outdoors more frequently, reduce stimulants, and apply prevention, namely undergo regular medical check-ups and provide the body with all the necessary nutrients. Limiting the proliferation of noncommunicable diseases also requires, in vertical terms, sound financial efforts on the part of local authorities. In the example of Poland, the claim about the effectiveness of the multi-level governance model which is presented in the literature will be verified.ConclusionThe excessive division of competences and the dispersion of resources between regional and local authorities may hamper the effective treatment and prevention of NCDs. A lack of cooperation between the central government, which carries out an independent policy on public health, and local authorities, which use only a portion of the public funds allocated to health, obstructs the debate on priorities at the societal level and does not encourage residents to take a stand on how to allocate extra funds.

Highlights

ConclusionThe excessive division of competences and the dispersion of resources between regional and local authorities may hamper the effective treatment and prevention of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). A lack of cooperation between the central government, which carries out an independent policy on public health, and local authorities, which use only a portion of the public funds allocated to health, obstructs the debate on priorities at the societal level and does not encourage residents to take a stand on how to allocate extra funds
Freedom from noncommunicable diseases is a component of the human right to health
In countries of so-called systemic transformation, including Poland, there is no relationship between the lack of implementation of health strategies at a local level and the intensification of the noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) pandemic

Summary

Conclusion

Complete elimination of NCDs is impossible without coordinated efforts from the entire international community, it is necessary that both local and regional authorities at least control the causes of NCDs and monitor their subsequent development [2, 8, 47]. Protection of citizens of a given state against the negative impact of NCDs requires intensified legislative, preventive and promotional actions launched in terms of intergovernmental cooperation, and at a local and regional level and through inter-region cooperation [2, 19, 40] This pushes for synergies and intensification of activities taken up by central governments, local and regional authorities in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity set forth in the ECLSG [31]. What is the most significant, limiting the proliferation of NCDs requires, in vertical terms, sound financial efforts on the part of local authorities [42] The representatives of these communities are responsible for encouraging the inhabitants of their communities to change their lifestyle: change their eating habits, increase physical activity, remain outdoors more frequently, reduce stimulants, and apply prevention, namely undergo regular medical check-ups and provide the body with all the necessary nutrients [2, 52].

Background

Findings