Rate In Poland Research Articles

Unemployment in the Warmińsko-Mazurskie and Wielkopolskie Voivodeships – a Comparative Analysis

Unemployment is a phenomenon that has significant consequences for society as well as for the economic development of a country, as it is a problem that manifests in both economic and social dimensions. Notably, there are significant differences in the extent of this phenomenon based on age, gender, place of residence, education, and spatial distribution. The lowest unemployment rate in Poland is observed in the Wielkopolskie voivodeship, while one of the highest is found in the Warmińsko-Mazurskie voivodeship. These differences arise from the distinct demographic, production, and infrastructural structures of these regions. However, the scale of these differences changes over time and may vary across different age groups or gender divisions. In light of the above, the aim of this study was to conduct a comparative analysis of the total unemployment and unemployment by age and gender in the Warmińsko-Mazurskie and Wielkopolskie voivodeships. The analysis covers the period from 2012 to 2022, based on data from the Central Statistical Office. The conducted research shows that the unemployment rate in the years 2012-2022 (except for 2020) decreased in both voivodeships. In 2022, the unemployment rate in the Wielkopolskie voivodeship was the lowest in the country, while the Warmińsko-Mazurskie voivodeship was in the penultimate position in this respect, right after the Podkarpackie voivodeship. In all the years analyzed, in both regions, a higher share of unemployed people in the number of working-age population was recorded in the case of women, although a downward trend was also noted in this respect. The conducted analyses also showed that throughout the entire period under review, the lowest unemployment in both analyzed voivodeships occurred among the age group of 35-44 years. Interestingly, in 2022, in the Wielkopolskie voivodeship, the highest unemployment occurred among people aged 18-24, while in the Warmińsko-Mazurskie voivodeship in the age group of 25-34 years.

TAXATION SYSTEMS OF UKRAINE AND POLAND: COMMON AND DIFFERENT FEATURES

The article provides a comprehensive study of the common and distinctive features of the taxation system in Ukraine and Poland, focusing on indirect taxes, namely: value added tax (VAT), excise tax, and customs duties. Peculiarities of taxation of the main direct taxes: personal income tax (PIT) and corporate income tax (CIT) have been studied. The purpose of the study is to determine the common and distinctive features of the construction of the tax systems of Ukraine and Poland, the functioning of the main budget-forming taxes, their rates, the conditions for applying tax benefits, as well as the possibility of implementing foreign experience in order to improve the domestic taxation system. The research methodology included a comparative analysis of legislative acts, statistical data and practical aspects of the functioning of the tax systems of Ukraine and Poland. The results of the study showed that although both countries apply similar types of indirect taxes, there are significant differences in rates and approaches to their administration. It was found that the VAT rate in Poland is 23%, while in Ukraine it is 20%, and a progressive scale of personal income taxation is applied at rates from 17% to 32%, in Ukraine there is a fixed rate of 18%, with respect to the tax on profit of enterprises, in Poland the standard rate is 19%, while in Ukraine it is 18%. The authors of the article also found that the Polish tax system is more stable and predictable, which contributes to a better investment climate and economic growth. In Ukraine, tax legislation is characterized by frequent changes and complexity of administration, which creates additional challenges for business. The findings of the study emphasize the importance of reforming the tax system of Ukraine in order to increase its transparency, stability and efficiency. In particular, it is recommended to simplify tax administration procedures taking into account Poland experience and harmonize tax legislation to European standards.

DIFFERENTIATIONS OF ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLISH ENTERPRISES IN 2012-2021

This work presents the relationship between road infrastructure and the development of enterprises in Poland. The aim of the study was to assess the differences in the density of the hard surface road network and the development of enterprises, as well as the impact of the density of the hard surface road network on the development of enterprises in Polish voivodeships in 2012-2021. For this purpose, the structure and dynamics of changes in the density of the hard surface road network and the entrepreneurship rate in Poland were calculated. The relationship between the density of the hard surface road network and the entrepreneurship index was also determined. Data collected in the Local Data Bank of the Central Statistical Office were used for the analyses. The analysis included the length of hard surface roads per 100 km2 and the total number of economic entities registered in the REGON system per 10,000 inhabitants of working age. An increase in the density of the hard surface road network and the entrepreneurship rate was observed, but the level and pace of changes in individual Polish voivodeships varied. The highest density of the hard surface road network was recorded in three voivodeships: Śląskie, Małopolskie and Świętokrzyskie. The highest value of the entrepreneurship index in the analyzed years was recorded in the Masovian Voivodeship. A detailed analysis of Polish voivodeships allowed us to observe a positive correlation between the density of the hard surface road network and the entrepreneurship rate in Poland in the analyzed period. The strongest positive relationship was between the density of hard surface roads and the entrepreneurship rate in the Masovian Voivodeship.

The Role of Information Policy in Shaping Public Opinion on Corruption in the Visegrad Group Countries

The state’s information policy that limits press freedom and conceals incidents of corruption is a significant threat to democracy. The work aimed to identify the relationship between corruption and information policy in the Visegrad Group countries. The research employed statistical analysis, correlation analysis, multiple regression, and thematic analysis. The research established worsening trends in Poland and Hungary regarding the corruption rate. At the same time, there is an improvement in the positions of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, which may indicate an effective anti-corruption policy. Press freedom indicators show similar trends, decreasing for Poland and Hungary and increasing for the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The correlation analysis revealed a close relationship between corruption indicators and press freedom in Poland and Hungary. The multiple regression analysis revealed the influence of the Press Freedom Index on the corruption rate. These results indicate the dependence of the corruption rate in Poland and Hungary on the information policy of the countries regarding the restriction of media freedom. The obtained conclusions can be useful for civil servants in the course of developing an information policy that takes into account anti-corruption trends.

The relationship between the inflation rate and the unemployment rate in Poland and their long-term associations with selected macroeconomic variables

The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between the inflation and unemployment rates in Poland and to analyze their long-term relationships with selected macroeconomic variables: the WIG20 index, consisting of the 20 largest Polish companies noted on Warsaw Stock Exchange, the USD/PLN exchange rate, the Brent crude oil index, and the interest rate on 10-year government bond yields. The main objective of the study is to determine the relationship between inflation and unemployment. In this study, a vector error correction model (VECM) was used to study long-run dependence. The impulse response function and forecast error variance decomposition were also used to examine the interactions between variables. There is one long-run relationship between the factors studied. Both the values of the VECM model parameters and the results of the impulse response function indicate that there is a negative relationship between inflation and unemployment in the short term. In the long term, there is a positive relationship, resulting in the stagflation phenomenon.

PERFORMANCES AND SELF-DECLARED OPINIONS ON HANDHELD MOBILE PHONE USE (DISTRACTION IN TRAFFIC) IN POLAND

This article presents the Motor Transport Institute’s research to set out road safety indicators of behaviors and opinions on one of the increasingly important road traffic problems. Two types of studies on the unsafe use of mobile phones and others on board devices (distraction) by road users in Poland between 2014 and 2023 are presented. Safety Performance Indicators (SPI) on handheld mobile phone use from roadside observations and declared opinions on talking, reading messages, checking social media/news, and listening to headphones while driving, cycling, and walking are presented. Overall, 306,240 passenger car drivers observed on all road types all week long in Poland showed a dropping trend (1.8%) between before the study in 2014 SPI 4.1% distracted drivers to SPI 2.3% after the study in 2022. More drivers used mobile phones on single carriageways both in built-up and outside built-up areas. On motorways outside built-up areas, where vehicles are speeding, drivers of passenger cars rarely talk on their handheld mobiles. Results from the first European Union (EU) Baseline project to collect road indicators produced a Key Performance Indicator of 3.8% distracted passenger car (all types of roads, all weekdays and weekend) from 44,011 observed in Poland in 2021. Results from the EU project E-Survey on Road Users’ Attitude, third edition (ESRA3), showed declared opinions of mobile use while driving, cycling, and walking down the street in Poland in 2023 compared to 2018 (ESRA2). A positive trend is seen among car drivers who declared lower use of handheld mobile phones than in 2018 (a drop of 11.2%). The survey showed Polish cyclist used more often headphones to listen to music, checked news and messages than cyclists in Europe in 2023. More by 10.1% pedestrians in Europe than in Poland declared checking social media/news, reading messages/emailing while walking down the street in 2023. This lower rate in Poland can be explained by pedestrian’s legal prohibition of mobile phone use while crossing the street since 2021. There is strong support for policy measures forbidding all drivers of motorized vehicles to use handheld mobile phone use while driving in all of Europe. Enforcement measures are twice as strong in Europe than in Poland. As the number of accidents and fatalities on distraction is unknown, calculating SPI during roadside observations and questionnaire surveys gives in-depth knowledge of the problem. The authors of the paper represent the Motor Transport Institute’s (MTI’s) research institution, which systematically analyzes trends in road safety in Poland during its own, national, and international projects.

Risk Factors for Poland to Achieve the European Commission’s Recycling and Landfill Targets and Their Effects on Waste-to-Energy Conversion: A Review

Poland is highly likely, as per a European Commission report, to fall short of meeting the 2025 targets related to the preparation for re-use and recycling of municipal waste and packaging waste. The risk of not meeting the municipal waste recycling targets stands at 27%, while for packaging waste, it is estimated at 30%. Recycling rates play a pivotal role in gauging the efficiency of waste management systems, as well as in monitoring progress toward a circular economy. Taking into account the considerable likelihood of Poland not achieving the recycling targets, the authors of the paper found it imperative to identify the risk factors associated with Poland’s failure to meet the European Commission’s recycling and landfill targets within the waste-to-energy context. Additionally, they sought to evaluate the potential for the development of the waste-to-energy concept in Poland. The research objectives were fulfilled through the literature review method. By employing the classification of factors outlined in a SWOT analysis, the authors highlighted which of the identified risk factors could or should be considered strengths or weaknesses, opportunities or threats to the Polish recycling process. Mapping out future courses of action will enable decision-makers in Poland to address the weaknesses in recycling, capitalize on opportunities arising from the socio-economic situation in Poland, and formulate plans to mitigate the identified threats. Undertaking such initiatives has the potential to enhance recycling rates in Poland and facilitate the broader application of waste-to-energy practices.

Using Robson classification to analyze cesarean section and induction rates in relation to changes in the standards of perinatal care in one hospital in Poland.

Poland has one of the highest cesarean birth (CB) rates in Europe. For this study, we used the Robson Ten-Group Classification System (TGCS) to analyze trends in the induction and CB rates in one hospital in Poland over a period of 11 years. We compare these trends with changes in National Legislative and Medical Guidelines introduced during this time that were aimed at lowering rates of unnecessary medical interventions. We conducted a retrospective study including all births after 24 weeks' gestation between 2010 and 2020 from one tertiary hospital (n = 66,716 births). After the deletion of records with missing data, 66,678 births were included in the analysis. All births were classified according to the Robson TGCS. The size, CB rate, and contribution of each group for every year were calculated. Linear regression analyses were used to analyze trends over time. The total CB rate varied from 29.6% to 33.0% during the study period, with a linear increase of 0.045 percentage points annually (R2 = 0.021; F(1) = 0.189; p = 0.674). This study was considerably lower than the total CB rate for Poland, which rose from 33.9% in 2010 to 45.1% in 2020, increasing at a rate of 1.13 percentage points per year (R2 = 0.93; F(1) = 61.88; p < 0.001). Induction rates among both nulliparous (R1 + R2) and multiparous (R3 + R4) women at term also increased. Study groups R5 (previous cesarean birth), R2 (nulliparous in induced or prelabor cesarean delivery), and R1 (nulliparous women at term with single cephalic pregnancy in spontaneous labor) were the highest contributors to the overall CB rate. The greatest decrease in the CB rate was detected in group R5b (more than one previous CB). None of the groups showed statistically significant increases in CB rates over the study period. The CB rate in the hospital where the study was conducted was considerably lower than the total CB rate in Poland. When compared with countries with similar CB rates, group R2b (women with nulliparous, prelabor cesarean birth) in our study was considerably larger. More comparisons across different hospital settings in Poland are needed. However, as hospitals are not encouraged to routinely collect the data needed to construct TGCS, such comparisons are very difficult to conduct.

FOREIGN STUDENTS IN VOCATIONAL EDUCATION – A CHANCE FOR THE LABOUR MARKET OF THE POZNAŃ AGGLOMERATION

The labour market of the Poznań agglomeration is characterised by the lowest unemployment rate in Poland, as well as large and varied employer demands, which can be met only to a limited extent by the local workforce. The potential human resources, which for the Poznań agglomeration's employers may be foreign students attending technical and first-degree technical and industry schools, have been characterised on the basis of the conducted desk research and analysis of the empirical data derived from the own research of the Observatory of Economy and Labour Market of the Poznań Agglomeration. The article's aim was to answer two questions: 1) ‘to what extent is vocational education able to prepare foreign students to enter the Polish labour market?' and 2) ‘to what extent do the resources of foreign students meet the needs of local employers?'. The analysis shows that migrant students as participants of Polish vocational education have a chance to effectively adapt to the labour market and to use their competency resources in long-term perspective. It requires a variety of actions to be taken with experts' participation, including in the field of cultural and language education, career counselling, recognition of preferences and predispositions, training of hard and soft skills.

Polityka społeczna w Polsce i na Ukrainie przez pryzmat procesów demograficznych: diagnoza i analiza porównawcza w kontekście ludności w wieku przedprodukcyjnym (0–17 lat)

The article the presents results of a study on the situation of children in Poland and Ukraine in the years 1991–2021 (30 years). Children and youth are determinants of social changes, they shape the future potential of society, therefore creating conditions for their formation and accumulation of human capital is one of the main priorities of state policy in most countries of the world. The comparative analysis was carried out on the basis of selected demographic indicators, including the number of children, the participation of children aged 0-17 in the general population in Poland and Ukraine, the number of live births, the birth rate, the fertility rate in Poland and Ukraine, the child mortality rate under 1 year, the child mortality rate under 5 years (0-4 years) in Poland and Ukraine. The diagnosis and analysis of the situation of children in Poland and Ukraine shows both positive and negative trends that require modernization of public policy instruments in this area in both countries.

Spatial Diversity and Impact of Selected Factors on Women’s Labour Force Participation Rate in Poland during 2000–2020

The sustainable development (SD) policy is also a family-friendly policy. Its crucial element is the use of social transfers (STs) as cash benefits for children. This study aims to explain the existence of regional variation in Poland in terms of the rate of working women and to conduct an assessment of the selected factors’ impact including the impact of STs on women’s propensity to work in Poland between 2000 and 2020. The survey showed the existence of SD through a strong convergence of the study area in terms of the rate of working women (RWW). However, an increase in the RWW with a decreasing fertility rate (FR) was observed between 2017 and 2020. The study showed a negative correlation between the RWW and STs. This means that the higher the transfers, the lower the propensity of women to return to the labour market. This situation could have negative consequences in the future. Long-lasting non-working periods mean a shorter period of pension contributions. As a result, with a low fertility rate, an accelerated pauperisation of society and a growing group of people living below the poverty line can be expected, which could disrupt or halt the country’s sustainable development. Appropriate reforms are needed to enable women to return to the labour market as soon as possible.

DEPENDENCE OF THE VOLUME OF NATURAL FERTILIZER CONSUMPTION IN RELATION TO THE LEVEL OF LIVESTOCK DENSITY IN POLAND

The article presents the results of an analysis of the dependence of the volume ofconsumption of various types of natural fertilizers in Poland, on the intensity of animal husbandry. As a measure of the intensity of animal husbandry, the level of animal stocking rate was adopted. The scope of the analysis covered the years 2017-2020. The amount of natural fertilizer consumption was determined at the level of voivodeships. The study showed that the size of animal stocking rates in Poland is determined by the share of cattle, followed by pig and poultry stocking rates. Analysis of basic statistical indicators, confirmed spatial inequality with regard to the location of animal husbandry in Poland at the regional level. The intensity ofmanure application is a reflection of the level of livestock stocking, and this relationship isexplained by a 2 polynomial regression, where R2 = 0.7326. The highest intensity oflivestock and natural fertilization in Poland was the Podlaskie Voivodeship, where theaverage level of natural fertilizer use in recent years was 11.48 t/ha UAA, and the stocking rate was 85.2 LU/100 ha UAA, while the average level of use for Poland is 4.64 t/ha UAA. The amount of each type of manure applied per large animal unit (LU) is relatively constant, and in Poland in recent years has been: 6.0 t of manure, 0.8 t of poultry manure, 1.3 m3 of liquid manure and 2.4 m3 of slurry.

Access to public sports infrastructure in Poland as a preventive factor for cardiovascular diseases

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a significant health concern globally, including in Poland. Physical activity has been identified as a crucial preventive factor for CVDs, and access to public sports infrastructure plays a vital role in promoting physical activity. However, the relationship between access to such infrastructure and its impact on cardiovascular health outcomes in Poland remains understudied.&#x0D; Aim of the study: This study aims to investigate the impact of access to public sports infrastructure on the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and mortality rates in Poland.&#x0D; Materials and methods: Publicly available data were obtained regarding sports facilities, population structure, hospitalizations, and deaths.&#x0D; Results: There is a moderate negative correlation (r = -0.3096; p &lt; 0.001) between hospitalization rates for cardiovascular diseases and the stadiums and playing fields available in the studied countries. The correlation between cardiovascular hospitalizations and indoor and outdoor arenas and gyms was also negative, but its effect was moderately weak (r = -0.2068, p &lt; 0.001; r = -0.2597, p &lt; 0.001, respectively). The average hospitalization rate for cardiovascular diseases in subjects over 65 years of age (M = 12117.24) was significantly higher compared to the group of all subjects (M = 3082.18) and subjects under 65 years of age (M = 1260.96). There is a negative correlation between the death rate and the availability of selected sports facilities, with a moderately weak effect for all sports infrastructure subgroups (r = -0.215 - -0.233).&#x0D; Conclusion: The effect of accessibility to public sport infrastructure on CVDs prevalence and related deaths is moderate to weak. The studied positive effect particularly affects people under 65 years of age. Further studies of other sport-connected predictors may be beneficial.

Changing Epidemiological Patterns of Infection and Mortality Due to Hepatitis C Virus in Poland.

Limited information is available on trends in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, particularly in Central Europe. To address this knowledge gap, we analyzed HCV epidemiology in Poland, considering socio-demographic characteristics, changing patterns over time, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We examined HCV cases (diagnosis and deaths) reported by national registries and used joinpoint analysis to estimate time trajectories. Between 2009 and 2021, there were changes in the trends of HCV, shifting from positive to negative in Poland. Among men, there was a significant increase initially in diagnosis rate of HCV in rural areas (annual percent change, APC2009-2016 +11.50%) and urban areas (APC2009-2016 +11.44%) by 2016. In subsequent years until 2019, the trend changed direction, but the reduction was weak (Ptrend > 0.05) in rural areas (-8.66%) and urban areas (-13.63%). During the COVID-19 pandemic, the diagnosis rate of HCV dramatically decreased in rural areas (APC2019-2021 -41.47%) and urban areas (APC2019-2021 -40.88%). Among women, changes in the diagnosis rate of HCV were less pronounced. In rural areas, there was a significant increase (APC2009-2015 +20.53%) followed by no significant change, whereas changes occurred later in urban areas (APC2017-2021 -33.58%). Trend changes in total mortality due to HCV were mainly among men, with a significant decrease in rural (-17.17%) and urban (-21.55%) areas from 2014/2015. The COVID-19 pandemic reduced HCV diagnosis rates in Poland, especially for diagnosed cases. However, further monitoring of HCV trends is necessary, along with national screening programs and improved linkage to care.

The impact of inflation on macroeconomic instability in different countries

Within the framework of this article, the author sets himself the goal of analyzing the characteristics of inflation processes in different countries, as well as the impact of inflation on macroeconomic instability in Poland, Sweden and Russia. The author argues that minimizing the risk of inflation will help the country reach a new level of development and stabilize constant economic growth. In 1980–1990 Many countries began to move from a command economy to a market economy, and the listed countries were no exception. It is emphasized that the Polish economy in the 1990s was one of the weakest in the European zone, and there was macroeconomic instability in all its forms: shortages of goods, high inflation, unemployment, and government budget deficits. However, today Poland is a successful country, its GDP is growing every year, while inflation processes can be maintained at the proper level. The article analyzes the inflation rate in Poland at the end of the twentieth century, during the crisis period in 2008, and also highlights the main measures taken by the Polish government to reduce inflation rates and minimize possible risks. In addition, the author believes that today Sweden is a country with a developed economy and the most favorable living conditions for its population. Despite favorable living conditions for the population, Sweden faces both a risk of inflation and a risk of deflation, both of which contribute to macroeconomic instability in the country. With the collapse of the USSR, macroeconomic instability, according to the author, is constantly observed in the country. High levels of inflation, state budget deficits, and periodic declines in production have been observed in the country for 20 years. In the final part of the article, the author compares the inflation rates of the countries considered, and also formulates a conclusion regarding the experience of other countries in the fight against inflation.

Do labour market institutions variables impact unemployment?Evidence from the CEE countries

Purpose: In this study, the aim is to determine whether labour market institutions (LMI) variables im-pacted the unemployment rate in the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) countries between 2000 and 2017.Methodology: Panel data methods that take cross-sectional dependence into account are used for the analysis. Results: Empirical findings show that real minimum wages, tax wedge, and union density do not impact the unemployment rate in Poland, Latvia, and Estonia, while these variables impact the unemployment rate in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, and Hungary.Conclusion: As a result of the research, it is concluded that the LMI variables do not have a substantial effect on the unemployment rate in Poland, Latvia, and Estonia. On the other hand, the LMI variables have a substantial impact on the unemployment rate in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, and Hungary. Therefore, it is understood that the LMI variables have an influence on the unemployment in only four out of seven CEE countries.

The Impact of Family Benefits Public Spending on Extreme Child Poverty Rates in Poland

The Impact of Family Benefits Public Spending on Extreme Child Poverty Rates in Poland

Demographic Challenges in Poland Understanding Low Fertility

Research background: The phenomenon of low fertility in Poland is a vital subject of demographic analysis. In recent years, not only have there been changes in procreative and family models, but also in the age structure of society. This is particularly significant in the context of population ageing, which is becoming increasingly evident and brings numerous challenges such as increased burden on healthcare systems, a decrease in the active workforce, and the need to secure adequate retirement funds. Despite the desire to have children, many individuals refrain from making such a decision, and the reasons for this choice are diverse. Therefore, it was essential to conduct an analysis of the factors determining fertility in Poland, considering both the economic and social aspects. Understanding how the economic situation, labour market conditions, and changes in social structure impact on the decision-making process regarding childbearing is essential. Purpose of the paper: The objective of this article was to analyse fertility rates in Poland for the period 2004-2020. The conducted research identified the factors influencing the observed state of low generational replacement and determining their intensity. Methodology/Methods/Data sources: The data used in this article were sourced from the Central Statistical Office and covered the years 2004-2020. The study was based on literature concerning demography and econometrics. Three statistical methods were applied in the analysis of fertility in Poland: the Classical Method of Least Squares (CMLS) model, the Fixed Effects (FE) estimator, and the Random Effects (RE) estimator. Fertility analysis was conducted at regional level by dividing Poland into 16 administrative units (voivodeships). A panel model was employed for the analysis, and the results were subjected to Wald, Breusch-Pagan, and Hausman tests to compare the outcomes obtained from different models. Findings: The results of the analysis indicate that the economic situation and the labour market significantly influence the decision to have children in Poland. The trend of low fertility, although showing some increase, is still characteristic of the country compared to other EU nations. The analysis of the factors determining fertility is vital for understanding the decisions of young generations of Poles regarding parenthood.

Trends of infections and mortality due to hepatitis B virus (2005-2022) and the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based study in Poland.

To analyze the hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and mortality in Poland according to sociodemographic characteristics, trends over time, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hepatitis B epidemiology. We examined HBV infection cases and deaths reported by national registries and used Joinpoint analysis to estimate time trends in the years 2005-2021. To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HBV infection, we used monthly information and compared 2020-2022 with 2019. The Joinpoint analysis showed that in Poland between 2005 and 2021, there were pronounced decreasing trends of acute HBV infection, and during the pandemic period, acute HBV infection dramatically decreased (annual percent change, APC2019-2021 for men -57.65%, and women -42.10%, both ptrend < 0.05). There was a fluctuation in trends for chronic HBV infection, shifting from positive to negative in both genders in 2016, and over the pandemic, there were decreasing trends (APC2019-2021 for men -26.94% and women -28.96%, both ptrend < 0.05). From March to July 2022, the value of the diagnosis rate of HBV infection was lower compared to the respective months in 2019, but from September to December 2022, the rate changes were positive. Mortality due to HBV infection decreased in both genders, mainly within the 2005-2019 period. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a sharp decrease in HBV diagnosis rates in Poland, especially in acute cases, was observed. However, trends of hepatitis B infection require further monitoring. It is necessary to introduce a national screening program that also encompasses the population of migrants and improve the linkage to care.

Social capital and spread of COVID-19 in Poland – do membership, trust, norms and values or shared narratives matter?

The experience of the SARS-CoV-19 pandemic can be a source of valuable information for public health authorities. As we have seen, the incidence is not evenly distributed in space, and the factors influencing it are not fully understood. Aspects of biological, demographic, economic, environmental, and political nature are considered, but it is believed that the social factor may be of critical importance. The density and intensity of social relations, general trust and trust in the authorities, norms and values – i.e., social capital – may have a key impact on the scale of infections. The research conducted so far on this subject does not provide clear conclusions, and the post-communist society, inferior in social capital, has hardly been analyzed. Using data for 73 subregions of Poland and performing regression analysis, we investigate how social capital explains the level of infection rate in the first three waves of the epidemic. The analysis results have shown that the factor of “political leaning” was strongly and negatively related to the infection rate in Poland. The research results indicate that, contrary to the previous studies, structural capital has the same positive effect on reducing the epidemic. However, relational social capital promotes more significant morbidity.