The health status of the population living in high ecological risk areas (HERA) in Poland is described at the level of general negative health indicators such as infant mortality rates, low birth weight rates, and standardized mortality rates. Analysis of temporal trends over the period 1988-1993 is included. These indicators are compared with analogous quantities for areas outside HERAs. The results suggest that the health status of the population of Poland living in HERAs is worse than that of the population living outside HERAs.
The ranking of HERAs according to the analyzed indicators does not correspond exactly to those proposed previously, based on the so-called "total hazard index". It demonstrates the need to review the definition of HERAs.