Quality of life and health program of the Center for Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 “Good health and well-being ” aims to “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”. This goal is crucial because health and well-being are the primary determinants of quality of life, social participation and, indirectly, economic development. Undoubtedly, investments in health are investments in human capital and an essential condition for building a just and sustainable world.
Quality of life is a much broader concept than health. It refers to the subjective evaluation of one’s life situation, taking into account social relations, environmental conditions and self-realization and satisfaction with life. Health status is a fundamental determinant of quality of life. According to the biopsychosocial model, health is not merely the absence of disease, but a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. Chronic diseases, disabilities and mental disorders can lead to significant limitations in an individual’s functioning, which negatively correlates with his or her level of quality of life. These limitations manifest themselves on many levels, from dysfunction in the physical sphere, to a reduced sense of autonomy, to exclusion from social life, leading to a deterioration in the overall sense of well-being.
dr Elżbieta Czapka
Coordinator of the Quality of Life and Health program
Elżbieta Czapka holds a PhD in sociology and works as an assistant professor at the Institute of Sociology at the University of Gdańsk. Elżbieta was a member of the Management Committee at: COST Action ISO 603 “HOME” (Health and Social Care of Migrants and Ethnic Minorities in Europe 2007–2011), COST Europe, COST Action IS1103 “ADAPT” (2011–2016).
She is also a member of the European Sociological Association, the Nordic Migration Network, Nordisk Demens Nettverk, and the European Network on Intercultural Elderly Care (in the capacity of the board chair).
Her research interests include:
Sociology of health, sociology of migration, migrant health, and systems of care for elderly migrants in Europe.

The “Quality of Life and Health” program promotes an interdisciplinary approach to health issues. As part of the program, we will organize student workshops and seminars on health issues and develop methodological workshops to best study the complex relationship between quality of life and health. We will invite researchers from Polish and foreign academic centers/research centers, as well as other professionals involved in health issues.
dr Elżbieta Czapka
Coordinator of the Quality of Life and Health program
Program news
Elżbieta Czapka, PhD, with NAWA 2023 Intervention Grant
Elżbieta Czapka, PhD, from the UG Centre for Sustainable Development, [...]
Towards sustainable development. Goes Greener and open lectures during SEA-EU Governing Week
The 28th of June was the second day of [...]
ENIEC Annual Meeting 2023 “Migration from East to West revisited” in Gdańsk
ENIEC is a European network of professionals bringing together academics, [...]


