Health conditions of inmates in Italy

Abstract Background Several studies have shown that prison is characterized by a higher prevalence of chronic diseases than unconfined settings. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics and health of inmates, focusing on internal diseases. Methods We designed a specific clinical record using the Python programming language. We considered all of the diagnoses according to the ICD-9-CM. Results Of a total of 17,086 inmates, 15,751 were enrolled in our study (M = 14,835; F = 869), corresponding to 92.2% of the entire inmate population (mean age of 39.6 years). The project involved a total of 57 detention facilities in six Italian regions (for a total of 28% of all detainees in Italy), as counted in a census taken on February 3, 2014. From the entire study sample, 32.5% of prisoners did not present any disorders, while 67.5% suffered from at least one disease. The most frequent pathologies were psychiatric (41.3%), digestive (14.5%), infectious (11.5%), cardiovascular (11.4%), endocrine, metabolic, and immune (8.6%), and respiratory (5.4%). Conclusion The findings showed that a large number of detainees were affected by several chronic conditions such as hypertension, dyslipidemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus, with an unusually high prevalence for such a young population. Therefore, a series of preventive measures is recommended to strengthen the entire care process and improve the health and living conditions of prisoners

Survey of health and social-health services for people with dementia: methodology of the Italian national project

People with dementia have special assistance needs. Worldwide problem is to ensure access to quality health services. Our study, supported by the Italian Ministry of Health, reports methodology features of a large survey project conduct to identify and to collect information on health and social health services for people with dementia in Italy. Among all Italian regions, about two thousand services available to individuals with dementia disease and their caregivers were identified as memory clinics, daycare centers and residential care facilities, totally or partially covered by the public healthcare service. A survey questionnaire was designed to collect information and a web-platform system was developed to manage data from all services. Of note, the web-platform was capable to display surveyed services as an on-line map implemented and regularly updated, easily accessible from the Dementia Observatory website (www.iss.it/demenza)

Assessing the quality of the care offer for people with personality disorders in Italy: the QUADIM project. A multicentre research based on the database of use of Mental Health services

Background: Italy can be viewed as a laboratory to assess the quality of mental healthcare delivered in a community-oriented system, especially for severe mental disorders, such as personality disorders. Although initiatives based on clinical indicators for assessing the quality of mental healthcare have been developed by transnational-organisations, there is still no widespread practice of measuring the quality of care pathways delivered to patients with severe mental disorders in a community-oriented system, especially using administrative healthcare databases. The aim of the study is to evaluate the quality of care delivered to patients with personality disorders taken-in-care by mental health services of four Italian regions (Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Lazio, Sicily). Methods: A set of thirty-three clinical indicators, concerning accessibility, appropriateness, continuity, and safety of care, was implemented using regional healthcare utilization databases, containing data on mental health treatments and diagnosis, hospital admissions, outpatient interventions and exams and drug prescriptions. RESULTS: 31,688 prevalent patients with personality disorders treated in 2015 were identified, of whom 2,331 newly taken-in-care. One-in-10 patients received a standardized assessment, the treatment discontinuity affected half of the cases. 12.7% of prevalent patients received at least one hospitalization, 10.6% in the newly taken-in-care cohort. 6-out-of-10 patients had contact with community-services within 14 days from hospital discharge. Access to psychotherapy and psychoeducational treatments was low and delivered with a low intensity. The median of psychosocial interventions per person-year was 19.1 and 9.4, respectively, in prevalent and newly taken-in-care cases. Nearly 50% of patients received pharmacological treatments. Conclusions: Healthcare utilization databases were used to systematically evaluate and assess service delivery across regional mental health systems; suggesting that in Italy the public mental health services provide to individuals with personality disorders suboptimal treatment paths

The Italian fund for Alzheimer’s and other dementias: strategies and objectives to face the dementia challenge

The Italian Fund for Alzheimer’s and other dementias was approved and signed in December 2021. The Fund is financed with 15 million euros in three years. The main goal is to provide new strategies in the field of dementia with a Public Health perspective. The Fund includes eight main activities that will be monitored and supervised by the Italian National Institute of Health: 1) development of a guideline for the assessment, management and support for people with dementia and their families/carers; 2) updating of the Dementia National Plan (DNP); 3) implementation of the documents of the DNP; 4) conducting surveys dedicated to the Italian Dementia Services; 5) promotion of dementia prevention strategies; 6) training strategies for healthcare professionals, families and caregivers; 7) creation of a National Electronic Record for Dementia; 8) evaluation and monitoring of activities promoted by Regions and Autonomous Provinces in the field ofdementia, together with the dementia National Permanent Table. These activities are outlined in detail in the present paper

Advancing dementia care: a review of Italy’s public health response within the WHO Global Action Plan and European strategies

Introduction Dementia is a growing global public health priority, with the WHO Global Action Plan (GAP) calling for coordinated efforts worldwide. Italy, one of the oldest nations globally, faces a significant challenge with approximately 2 million individuals living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment. In response, the Italian Fund for Alzheimer’s and other Dementias (IFAD) was established in 2020 to align national efforts with the WHO GAP’s objectives. This study analyses IFAD activities from 2021 to 2023, offering insights into Italy’s public health response to dementia and its relevance to global strategies. Methods We conducted a structured, iterative review of all activities coordinated by the Italian Dementia Observatory (OssDem-Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS)) within IFAD 2021–2023. Global, regional and national documents on dementia prevention, care and support were retrieved from official websites, institutional repositories and targeted web searches using the keywords ‘dementia’, ‘brain health’ and ‘ageing’. Two reviewers independently screened and extracted data with a predefined matrix mapped to the seven WHO GAP Action Areas. Human-subject studies cited had independent ethics approval and informed consent; no new data were collected for this review. Results IFAD activities led to substantial progress in dementia care services, with memory clinics, residential care facilities and daycare centres mapped, revealing regional disparities in service provision. Modifiable risk factors accounted for 39.5% of dementia cases in Italy, with an estimated 67 000 cases preventable through risk reduction. National guidelines were developed to standardise dementia care pathways, and training programmes addressed gaps in HP and caregiver preparedness, particularly highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Discussion Italy’s experience provides valuable lessons for countries facing similar demographic challenges. The IFAD extension to 2024–2026 aims to address persistent regional disparities and further implement national guidelines and prevention strategies. By integrating Italy’s progress with broader international frameworks, the Italian model can inform global efforts to enhance dementia care, highlighting the importance of scalable, regionally adapted strategies for addressing the growing global burden of dementia

An Epidemiological Overview of the Situation of Illicit Drug Abuse in Italy

This article focuses on the epidemiology of illicit drug abuse in Italy at the end of 1992. The characteristics of demand and modalities and dimensions of treatment services offered are analyzed. This evaluation is based on data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (Home Secretary), AIDS Operations Center and Ministry of Justice. The “need for care” estimate comes mainly from private facilities and public services data; the geographic distribution of demand for care in relation to available services is also examined. Finally, data concerning AIDS diffusion and intravenous drug users are presented. </jats:p

The Italian Dementia National Plan

The Italian Dementia National Plan was formulated in October 2014 by the Italian Ministry of Health in close cooperation with the regions, the National Institute of Health and the three major national associations of patients and carers. The main purpose of this strategy was to provide directive indications for promoting and improving interventions in the dementia field, not limiting to specialist and therapeutic actions, but particularly focusing on the support of patients and families throughout the pathways of care. Four main objectives are indicated: 1) promote health- and social-care interventions and policies; 2) create/strengthen the integrated network of services for dementia based on an integrated approach; 3) implement strategies for promoting appropriateness and quality of care; and 4) improve the quality of life of persons with dementia and their families by supporting empowerment and stigma reduction. These objectives and the pertaining actions are described in the present paper

An Overview of International Literature on School Interventions to Promote Mental Health and Well-being in Children and Adolescents

Introduction:Mental disorders are the largest cause of the burden of disease in the world. Most of the burden affecting adult life has its onset during childhood and adolescence. The European Pact for Mental Health and Wellbeing calls for immediate action and investments in the mental health of children and adolescents. Schools may be the ideal location for promoting health and delivering healthcare services, since schools are a location where young people usually spend their daytime and socialize, schools are easily accessible to families, can provide non-stigmatizing health actions, and form links with the community.Aims and Goals of this Special Issue:This issue is developed within the framework of the Joint Action on Mental Health promoted by the European Commission. This special issue presents a set of systematic reviews on the evidence of the international literature on school interventions for the promotion of the mental health and wellbeing of children and adolescents. It is focused on five topical main areas: promoting general health and wellbeing; programs targeting specific mental disorders and conditions and integration of adolescents with mental health problems; Bullying; Sport; Alcohol and Drugs. An additional paper on the results of the largest epidemiological study conducted in some European countries on the prevalence and relative risk factors of mental disorders in school-age completes the issue.Conclusion:These reviews are a first contribution to address future European research and interventions, in particular about the multiple ways through which European policies could support the schooling and wellbeing of children and adolescents.</jats:sec