A Simple Equation That Could Improve Life Across Poland

Do Poles Take Care of Their Health Only When They Lose It?

This question became the starting point for an initiative that could change the way people in Poland think about both health and financial security.

In April, Zakopane hosted a four-day Transformation Weekend under the theme “Health Is a Strategy.” Importantly, this was not just another industry event. It marked the beginning of a broader movement.

At the heart of the event was an equation that we hope to popularize across Poland:

Plan A + Plan B = Life and Health

Plan A includes everything we can do ourselves: prevention, regular check-ups, physical activity, healthy nutrition, and quality sleep.

Plan B provides protection when Plan A is no longer enough — illness, accidents, or the need for treatment.

This approach brings together two worlds that have traditionally operated separately: healthy living and financial protection.

The event gathered around 60 leaders from the insurance industry, healthcare sector, and business community.

Plan A was led by Ewa Chodakowska and her team.

Plan B was represented by Unilink S.A. and the event’s partners: Compensa, InterRisk, LUX MED Ubezpieczenia, ALAB Laboratories, Efficient Insurance Solutions (EIS), and the Foundation Longevity for Everyone.

Participants did not simply discuss health — they experienced it firsthand through training sessions and practical case studies based on real-life situations.

“Health is not a matter of luck; it is the result of decisions made consistently over many years. Today, Poles are legally required to insure their cars, yet many still do not insure themselves. Most often, this is not due to a lack of responsibility, but rather a lack of knowledge. That is precisely the gap we want to address,” says Aleksandra Friedel, CEO of Unilink and founder of the Start with Yourself Foundation.

The System Is Struggling. So Are We.

One of the most important elements of the event was a series of discussions about the current state of Poland’s healthcare system and how it can be supported through appropriate protection solutions — in other words, through Plan B.

Experts agreed on several key challenges:

• growing waiting times for specialist appointments

• limited access to healthcare services

• the increasing role of private healthcare and insurance solutions

This is not a future scenario. It is today’s reality.

“As Poles live longer, our perspective on health is changing. Health is no longer only a lifestyle issue; it is becoming an area that requires planning and adequate protection. In this context, solutions that provide rapid access to diagnostics, treatment, and preventive care are becoming increasingly important. Health insurance is playing an ever more significant role as one of the key pillars of long-term health security,” says Anna Włodarczyk-Moczkowska, CEO of Compensa TU S.A. Vienna Insurance Group.

A New Direction for the Insurance Industry

The initiative also reflects a broader transformation within the insurance sector itself. Insurance is gradually evolving from being viewed solely as a financial product to becoming an important component of lifestyle, prevention, and longevity.

“This was one of the first major meetings where it became clear that insurance plays a crucial role not only in protecting assets but, above all, in protecting people's lives and health. Increasingly, insurance can help shape positive habits, influence lifestyles, and support healthy behaviors. Today, it is essential to focus on both prevention and adequate insurance coverage. Only the synergy of these two areas provides genuine security,” says Piotr Narloch, CEO of InterRisk TU S.A. Vienna Insurance Group.

“In my opinion, taking care of one's health should become a fundamental social competency, just like financial or digital literacy. This event clearly demonstrated that we are ready to build a conscious and engaged social movement around health,” adds Emilia Leśniewska, co-founder of the Longevity for Everyone Foundation.

The Beginning of a Bigger Change

The Transformation Weekend was not intended as a one-time project. It was the first step in a broader social campaign aimed at:

• increasing health and financial awareness among Poles

• simplifying health-related decision-making

• demonstrating that self-care is a continuous process rather than a one-time choice

“The Transformation Weekend in Zakopane reminded me that the greatest change begins with the decision to act here and now. In an inspiring environment, I realized how much depends on having the courage to take the first step. It was a powerful reminder that Plan A starts today, while Plan B provides peace of mind for the future. I am returning home with renewed energy, greater awareness, and a readiness to act without postponing what truly matters,” says Monika Wilk, Business Development Director at LUX MED Ubezpieczenia.

The weekend delivered one clear message: people are ready for change. Sometimes all they need is a spark, a conversation, or a moment to pause and reflect.

The equation is simple. The challenge now is to put it into practice.