Abstract
Motives: Modern healthcare systems operate under increasingly complex social, economic, and environmental conditions. The dynamics of demographic change, increasing financial pressures, and mounting climate challenges are forcing states to redefine existing models of healthcare service management. In this context, sustainable development is no longer solely an environmental imperative, but is becoming a concept integrating various dimensions of public policy, including healthcare policy. Healthcare systems, which in the past focused primarily on clinical aspects, are now increasingly incorporating components of prevention, environmental responsibility, social integration, and economic sustainability. Shifting the emphasis from reactive to proactive measures is becoming one of the conditions not only for improving the system’s efficiency but also for its long-term resilience.Aim: The aim of this article is to present and analyze the implementation of sustainable development concepts in the Polish healthcare system. The study is based on a literature review, strategic documents, and case studies of national and regional initiatives. A comparative approach is used to assess the degree of integration of sustainable development principles into healthcare policy.Results: Sustainable development should be considered a fundamental criterion for assessing the effectiveness of the healthcare system. The analysis indicates that the implementation of sustainable development principles in the Polish healthcare system is limited. Efforts focus primarily on economic and organizational aspects, with limited consideration of environmental and social elements. The results confirm the need for a systemic approach combining economic efficiency with social and environmental responsibility, which is a prerequisite for a long-term strategy for the healthcare system in Poland.