Italy is a country characterized by profound regional inequalities, particularly evident in the healthcare sector. The recent discussion on differentiated autonomy and the alarm raised by the journal The Lancet have brought attention to the risks associated with a deeper fragmentation of the healthcare system and the possible widening of disparities in access and quality of care between the North and South of Italy.
Since post-war, the South has struggled to bridge the economic gap with the more industrialized and prosperous North. This imbalance is also reflected in the healthcare system, where the southern regions deal with critical issues such as inadequate infrastructure, long waiting times and a less qualified healthcare offer as compared to the northern regions.
Statistics reveal significant differences: on average, life expectancy is higher in the North, while in the South access to specialist care and advanced diagnostic services is limited. These differences fuel the phenomenon of "health tourism", with patients forced to travel to the North for receiving adequate care, generating significant economic and social costs.
Differentiated autonomy: an opportunity or a threat?
The reform of differentiated autonomy, which is associated with greater administrative decentralization, has been welcomed by some regions in the North, which hope for more efficient management of local resources. However, according to The Lancet, this reform could worsen existing inequalities.
Northern regions, with stronger budgets, could invest in advanced technologies and high-quality services. On the contrary, southern regions, with more limited economic resources, are exposed to the risk of being left behind, seeing their capacity to offer adequate care to citizens reduced. This could lead to a "two-speed" health system, with the North at the forefront and the South increasingly behind, compromising therefore the constitutional principle of equity in access to care.
The failure of digital medicine and the role of research
Another crucial aspect highlighted by The Lancet is the failure to implement digital medicine technologies. Despite efforts to modernize the healthcare system, data fragmentation and lack of digital communications between regions hinder the sharing of clinical information. This inefficient use of technologies leads to repeated diagnostic tests and increased costs and waiting times.
Scientific research also suffers from regional inequalities. Research centers and universities in the North benefit from greater funding and advanced infrastructure than those in the South, creating a vicious circle that penalizes the overall quality of the Italian healthcare system.
A complex challenge: interventions needed to close the gap
North-South disparities in Italian healthcare represent a complex challenge that requires a strategic and targeted approach. The reform of differentiated autonomy, if not managed with the idea of solidarity and rebalancing, can further deepen inequalities, and compromise access to quality care for millions of citizens.
To address this crisis, the government and healthcare institutions must work together to:
Ensure a fair distribution of financial and infrastructural resources.
Invest in digital technologies to reduce inefficiency and improve patient management.
Strengthen scientific research in the Southern regions, increasing funding for universities and centers of excellence.
Promote common health policies that protect the right to health regardless of the region of residence.
Only through a collective commitment and national vision, it will be possible to overcome the health gap between the North and the South, ensuring a more equitable and just future for all Italians.
Professor Antonio Giordano, M.D., Ph.D., is the creator and head of the Sbarro Health Research Organization, located at Temple University's College of Science and Technology in Philadelphia. Stay connected with him through his various social media platforms, including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram, to receive the latest updates.
Comments