Health and Illness in History, Science and Society

Health is a fundamental human right. The World Health Organization defines it as a "state of complete physical, psychological and social well - being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity". The health of individuals, however, is also linked to the environment in which they live and especially to their ability to adapt and integrate into their life context. The relationship with the environment is extremely important because it is that interaction that outlines the concept of normality compared to pathology. Such normality needs to be contextualised by gender, geographical origin and by the individuals’ living conditions: as a matter of fact, what is normal for a young person may differ from what is normal for a senior one. That is to say, the concept of health is indeed relative and it is the result of an interesting evolution of the concept of illness. From the first approaches - dealing with the mere treatment of the symptoms - to the promise of a free-from-pain society, science and economics have played a significant role in redefining the dualism health/ illness. The article reflects on these two concepts, health and illness, in history and nowadays, and discusses the future of the medical science

Pro-Environmental Behaviors: Determinants and Obstacles among Italian University Students

The awareness of citizens concerning the health risks caused by environmental pollution is growing, but studies on determinants of pro-environmental behaviors have rarely examined health-related aspects. In this study, we investigated these determinants using data from a large survey among Italian university students (15 Universities: 4778 filled questionnaires). Besides the health-related aspects, represented by environmental health risk perception and functional health literacy, we considered social and demographic characteristics (gender, area of residence, sources of information, trust in institutional and non-institutional subjects, and students' capacity of positive actions, indicated as internal locus of control). The attitudes towards pro-environmental behaviors were positive for more than 70% of students and positively related with health risk perception, internal locus of control, and health literacy. The correspondence between the positive attitudes towards pro-environmental behaviors and the real adoption of such behaviors was approximately 20% for most behaviors, except for the separate collection of waste (60%). Such a discrepancy can be attributable to external obstacles (i.e., lack of time, costs, lack of support). The health-related aspects were linked to the pro-environmental attitudes, but to a lesser extent to pro-environmental behaviors, owing to the complexity of their determinants. However, they should be taken in account in planning education interventions

Acute Delta Hepatitis in Italy spanning three decades (1991–2019): Evidence for the effectiveness of the hepatitis B vaccination campaign

Updated incidence data of acute Delta virus hepatitis (HDV) are lacking worldwide. Our aim was to evaluate incidence of and risk factors for acute HDV in Italy after the introduction of the compulsory vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 1991. Data were obtained from the National Surveillance System of acute viral hepatitis (SEIEVA). Independent predictors of HDV were assessed by logistic-regression analysis. The incidence of acute HDV per 1-million population declined from 3.2 cases in 1987 to 0.04 in 2019, parallel to that of acute HBV per 100,000 from 10.0 to 0.39 cases during the same period. The median age of cases increased from 27 years in the decade 1991-1999 to 44 years in the decade 2010-2019 (p < .001). Over the same period, the male/female ratio decreased from 3.8 to 2.1, the proportion of coinfections increased from 55% to 75% (p = .003) and that of HBsAg positive acute hepatitis tested for by IgM anti-HDV linearly decreased from 50.1% to 34.1% (p < .001). People born abroad accounted for 24.6% of cases in 2004-2010 and 32.1% in 2011-2019. In the period 2010-2019, risky sexual behaviour (O.R. 4.2; 95%CI: 1.4-12.8) was the sole independent predictor of acute HDV; conversely intravenous drug use was no longer associated (O.R. 1.25; 95%CI: 0.15-10.22) with this. In conclusion, HBV vaccination was an effective measure to control acute HDV. Intravenous drug use is no longer an efficient mode of HDV spread. Testing for IgM-anti HDV is a grey area requiring alert. Acute HDV in foreigners should be monitored in the years to come

SALUTE UMANA, DIRITTO FONDAMENTALE DELL'UOMO, IN RELAZIONE ALLA CONTAMINAZIONE ALIMENTARE

La salute, come profilo essenziale della persona umana, è considerata un diritto fondamentale dell'individuo, costituzionalmente garantito, che riguarda non soltanto l'integrità fisica, ma anche quella psichica, in quanto la persona umana è indissolubilmente unità psico-fisica. La salute non è un elemento statico ed individuale, ma è un aspetto ricollegabile al sano e libero sviluppo della persona. Una riflessione sulla salute comporta anche una riflessione sul concetto di malattia, intendendo esprimere la condizione con cui un individuo si trova a vivere. Le malattie sono modelli di ordine concettuale che aiutano ad interpretare la situazione di un paziente (attualmente sono individuate circa 30-40 mila malattie e sindromi). La salute può intendersi in un senso puramente biologico, consistente nel fatto che le varie strutture anatomiche e le funzioni dell'organismo sono perfettamente efficienti ed integrate fra loro. In questa prospettiva la malattia è un turbamento, dovuto ad agenti interni d esterni, dell'integrità biologica e fisica. Si può delineare anche una concezione antropologica della salute, intesa come equilibrio ed integrazione di tutte le componenti che costituiscono l'essere umano: corporali, emozionali, psichiche, mentali, sociali e spirituali. In questa accezione la malattia è individuata come turbamento non soltanto dell'equilibrio fisico, ma anche di quello mentale e sociale (immaturità psichica e devianza sociale). In una concezione rigorosamente medica si afferma che un individuo è sano quando è in possesso di tutte quelle capacità fisiche e psichiche che consentono il benessere personale e sono necessarie al fine di realizzare una buona convivenza con gli altri soggetti. La malattia viene intesa come un'interferenza che provochi una diminuzione di queste possibilità

Il problema dell'anoressia nervosa: prime valutazioni sulla sua diffusione in un campione di soggetti in età scolare.

Individuazione dei criteri diagnostici idonei ad una corretta valutazione dell'incidenza dell'anoressia nervosa. Messa a punto di un metodo psicometrico per un primo screening di massa. L'indagine è stata condotta su 1626 studenti di scuola media di alcune citàà marchigiane mediante l'utilizzo del questionario EAT-26 opportunamente adattato. Attraverso la valutazione dei punteggi totalizzati, si è giunti alla individuazione dei soggetti che presentano una qualche alterazione del comportamento alimentare. In una fase successiva si procederà all'identificazione dei casi di anoressia nervosa attraverso il metodo dell'intervista

Water supply in the Marche Region

In this report the Authors extensively review about the possibility of water supply in the Marche Region (central Italy), taking in account the sources, the stratum water and the water surface. Increased requirements of water from the local communities is underlined, as well as major difficulties in finding waters of good quality; furthemore, the water supply relies even more on water surface. The critical pollution level of the main rivers in the region highlight the relevance of a multidisciplinary approach. Finally, the Authors recall strategies targeted to a correct management of the hydric resources, as the recent law 37/94 suggests

Survey on knowledge about AIDS among high school and university students

A middle - and high - school student population of the Marches region was sampled to assess thei knowledge about AIDS. An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to 2801 students. Elaboration of the data obtained showed that to a great extent knowledge is conditioned by the mass media, whereas frank talks with family and frinds are relatively rare. The need is thus seen for information from authoritative and more higly qualified sources. In addition, the results revealed a certain amount of confuzion regarding the meaning and danger of being seropositive: 18.3% of those interviewed did not consider that infected subjects with no evident signs of disease were dangerous. Information about the availability of drugs nd vaccines also appeared scanty; in fact, 35% believed in the existence of drugs which could lead to a complete cure, and 12.3% in thath of a commercially available vaccine against AIDS. Another fact to emerge was the confusion between "donation" and "transfusion" of blood: 46% of the sample thought that voluntary donation could represent a risk of infection. The authors emphasize the need to go deeper into the biological and scientific aspects of the problem by means of an efficient information service, wich more prominence being given to talks between specialized personnel and young people af all ages and social standing

Esposizione professionale a chemioterapici antiblastici: rischi per la riproduzione e strategie per la prevenzione

Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche - Biblioteca Centrale - P.le Aldo Moro, 7 , Rome / CNR - Consiglio Nazionale delle RichercheSIGLEITItal

Approccio metodologico nello studio di un invaso destinato alla produzione di acqua potabile.

Delineare un approccio integrato per lo studio di acque lacustri destinate alla produzione di acque potabili

Consumption, attitudes and knowledges on compared alcoholic beverages among high school and university students

By administration of an anonymous questionnaire, the authors investigated the consumption af alcohol by high school and university students in some cities of Marches region (central Italy). The results showed a tendency for spirits to be drunk at a relatively early age (ca 20% of the sample), and that the alcoholic drink most consumed was beer (72% of the sample), especially outside meals (54% of cases); instead, wine was consumed by 61% of those interviewed, above all during meals (53% of cases). The majority of the students proved to have no real knowledge either of the direct effects of alcohol on helath, or of the direct and indirect psychophysical consequences of alcohol abuse. It's very important an educational system especially aside Scholastic institutions