Hygiena 2026, 71(1):25-29 | DOI: 10.21101/hygiena.a1902

Importance of preventive programmes for population health in the Czech Republic – reality in 2025

Renáta Kohutová^{1, 2}, Markéta Skalná¹, Hana Plánovská¹

¹ Slezská univerzita v Opavě, Fakulta veřejných politik, Ústav nelékařských zdravotnických studií, Opava, Česká republika

² Ostravská univerzita v Ostravě, Lékařská fakulta, Ústav epidemiologie a ochrany veřejného zdraví, Ostrava, Česká republika

Preventive programmes represent a fundamental pillar of modern medicine and contribute significantly to improving the health status of the population of the Czech Republic. This short communication summarises the current overview of the full range of screening programmes for adults paid for by public health insurance in 2025 and evaluates their perception and experience of two target groups based on a questionnaire survey. It focusses on the key areas of cancer screening (breast, cervical, colorectal, prostate, and lung cancer), early detection of osteoporosis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, dementia, and expanded newborn screening. The survey shows a relatively high level of public awareness and recognition of the benefits of prevention, but also identifies the need to improve awareness, motivation to participate, and accessibility of programmes across age groups. Respondents point to the individualisation of prevention strategies, the importance of early education, and the role of GPs. Finally, the continued importance of systematic prevention and interdisciplinary cooperation in the context of increasing civilisation diseases and chronic diseases is emphasised.

Keywords: disease prevention, screening, health literacy, public health insurance

Received: November 2025; Accepted: December 2025; Published: April 2026  Show citation