Territoires en transition. Migrations et agriculture dans le sud de l’Europe. Les cas d’Almería (Espagne) et de Sibari (Italie)

In the last two decades many rural areas of the countries bordering the northern Mediterranean are undergoing major transformations. The industrialization of the countryside and farmers reconstruction? Has been necessary, but this means that their small businesses rely exclusively on international markets. At the same time, there has appeared an additional factor: the emergence of immigrant labor and dependence on it for their agricultural existence. This phenomenon can already be called «Southern model for agricultural exploitation». This research shows how social transition processes have affected two zones with very similar characteristics in Southern Europe: the province of Almeria (Spain) and the Plain of Sibari, in the province of Cosenza (Italy). We describe the elements that characterize the Mediterranean context, the dynamics of migration and its relationship with changes in agriculture, and then analyze each case, highlighting similarities and differences. This is a comparative analysis between the two areas regarding the dynamics of social transition: innovation, modernization and the crisis caused by modern market systems and the role of migration. Immigrants have resisted the crisis well, they have even been introduced into the urban and residential fabric, but the labor market has not ceased to have thousands of cases of undocumented laborers in the workforce, turned into «underground districts» (socio-economic system integrated and structured on the basis of administrative illegality and institutional racism).En las últimas dos décadas muchas zonas rurales de los países ribereños del norte del Mediterráneo están sufriendo grandes transformaciones. La industrialización del campo y la reconversión de los campesinos se han producido por efectos de políticas e inversiones, en el marco de una creciente dependencia de sus pequeñas empresas de los mercados internacionales. Al mismo tiempo, ha aparecido un factor adicional: la mano de obra inmigrante y, en gran medida, la dependencia del sector agrícola de su existencia, tanto por su desarrollo como por su reproducción. A este fenómeno ya se le puede llamar en Europa el «modelo sureño de explotación agrícola». Esta investigación expone cómo los procesos de transición social han afectado a dos zonas del Sur de Europa que comparten determinadas características y similitudes: la provincia de Almería (España) y la llanura de Sibari, en la provincia de Cosenza (Italia). Se describen los elementos que caracterizan el contexto mediterráneo, en la dinámica de la migración y en su relación con los cambios en la agricultura, para, a continuación, analizar cada caso, destacando las similitudes y sus diferencias. Se trata de un análisis comparativo entre ambas zonas respecto a las dinámicas de transición social: la innovación, la modernización y la crisis provocada por los modernos sistemas de mercado y el papel que juegan las migraciones. En el mercado de trabajo de ambos espacios aún existen casos de mano de obra irregularizada, lo que los convierten en «distritos de la clandestinidad». Durant ces deux dernières décennies, de nombreuses zones rurales des pays riverains du nord de la Méditerranée souffrent de grandes transformations. L’industrialisation de la campagne et la reconversion des paysans sont la conséquence de différentes politiques et inversions de leurs petites entreprises dans le cadre de la dépendance de plus en plus importante des marchés internationaux. Parallèlement surgit un facteur additionnel: la main-d’œuvre immigrante et, dans une grande mesure, la dépendance du secteur agricole de cette main-d’œuvre, tant pour son développement comme pour son expansion. C’est le phénomène appelé en Europe «modèle de l’exploitation agricole du Sud». Ce travail d’investigation va montrer comment les processus de transition sociale vont avoir une influence sur deux zones du sud de l’Europe qui partagent caractéristiques et similitudes: la région de Alméria (Espagne) et la plaine de Sibari dans la province de Cosenza (Italie). Nous allons décrire les éléments caractéristiques du contexte méditerranéen lors de la dynamique de la migration, et sa relation dans les changements de l’agriculture, pour à continuation analyser chaque cas en prenant soin de détacher les similitudes et les différences. Il s’agit d’une analyse comparative entre les deux zones au sujet des dynamiques de transition sociale: l’innovation, la modernisation et la crise provoquée par les systèmes modernes de marché, ainsi que le rôle joué par les migrations. Dans le marché du travail commun à ces deux espaces géographiques, il existe encore des cas de main-d’œuvre non régularisée, ce qui les transforme en «districts de la clandestinité»

Is Italian Agriculture "Pull Factor" for Irregular Migration -- And, If So, Why?

In discussions on irregular migration in Europe, undeclared work is generally viewed as a "pull factor"—positive aspects of a destination-country that attract an individual or group to leave their home—for both employers as well as prospective migrants, and especially in sectors such as agriculture. A closer examination of the agricultural model, however, reveals that structural forces are driving demand for work and incentivizing exploitation. This is particularly evident in Southern Italy, a region famous for its produce, where both civil society organizations and the media have documented exploitation of migrant workers. A closer examination of EU and member states efforts to avoid exploitation is needed.In Is Italian Agriculture a 'Pull Factor' for Irregular Migration—and, If So, Why?, a new study, authors from the Open Society Foundations' European Policy Institute and the European University Institute look at how Europe's Common Agricultural Policy, the practices of supermarket chains, organized crime, and gang-master recruitment practices contribute to migrant exploitation. The study further recommends a closer examination of EU member state efforts to counter exploitation and offers an overview of private sector practice's intended to combat exploitation—such as the provision of information on workers' rights, adequate housing and transport, and EU-wide labeling schemes, among others

Policy Brief: Is Italian Agriculture a "Pull Factor" for Irregular Migration -- And, If So, Why?

In discussions on irregular migration in Europe, undeclared work is generally viewed as a "pull factor"—positive aspects of a destination-country that attract an individual or group to leave their home—for both employers as well as prospective migrants, and especially in sectors such as agriculture. A closer examination of the agricultural model, however, reveals that structural forces are driving demand for work and incentivizing exploitation. This is particularly evident in Southern Italy, a region famous for its produce, where both civil society organizations and the media have documented exploitation of migrant workers. A closer examination of EU and member states efforts to avoid exploitation is needed.In Is Italian Agriculture a 'Pull Factor' for Irregular Migration—and, If So, Why?, a new study, authors from the Open Society Foundations' European Policy Institute and the European University Institute look at how Europe's Common Agricultural Policy, the practices of supermarket chains, organized crime, and gang-master recruitment practices contribute to migrant exploitation. The study further recommends a closer examination of EU member state efforts to counter exploitation and offers an overview of private sector practice's intended to combat exploitation—such as the provision of information on workers' rights, adequate housing and transport, and EU-wide labeling schemes, among others

Characteristics of people living in Italy after a cancer diagnosis in 2010 and projections to 2020

BACKGROUND: Estimates of cancer prevalence are widely based on limited duration, often including patients living after a cancer diagnosis made in the previous 5 years and less frequently on complete prevalence (i.e., including all patients regardless of the time elapsed since diagnosis). This study aims to provide estimates of complete cancer prevalence in Italy by sex, age, and time since diagnosis for all cancers combined, and for selected cancer types. Projections were made up to 2020, overall and by time since diagnosis. METHODS: Data were from 27 Italian population-based cancer registries, covering 32% of the Italian population, able to provide at least 7 years of registration as of December 2009 and follow-up of vital status as of December 2013. The data were used to compute the limited-duration prevalence, in order to estimate the complete prevalence by means of the COMPREV software. RESULTS: In 2010, 2,637,975 persons were estimated to live in Italy after a cancer diagnosis, 1.2 million men and 1.4 million women, or 4.6% of the Italian population. A quarter of male prevalent cases had prostate cancer (n\u2009=\u2009305,044), while 42% of prevalent women had breast cancer (n\u2009=\u2009604,841). More than 1.5 million people (2.7% of Italians) were alive since 5 or more years after diagnosis and 20% since 6515 years. It is projected that, in 2020 in Italy, there will be 3.6 million prevalent cancer cases (+\u200937% vs 2010). The largest 10-year increases are foreseen for prostate (+\u200985%) and for thyroid cancers (+\u200979%), and for long-term survivors diagnosed since 20 or more years (+\u200945%). Among the population aged 6575 years, 22% will have had a previous cancer diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The number of persons living after a cancer diagnosis is estimated to rise of approximately 3% per year in Italy. The availability of detailed estimates and projections of the complete prevalence are intended to help the implementation of guidelines aimed to enhance the long-term follow-up of cancer survivors and to contribute their rehabilitation need

Incidence and Predictors of Infections and All-Cause Death in Patients with Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices: The Italian Nationwide RI-AIAC Registry

The incidence of infections associated with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) and patient outcomes are not fully known. To provide a contemporary assessment of the risk of CIEDs infection and associated clinical outcomes. In Italy, 18 centres enrolled all consecutive patients undergoing a CIED procedure and entered a 12-months follow-up. CIED infections, as well as a composite clinical event of infection or all-cause death were recorded. A total of 2675 patients (64.3% male, age 78 (70-84)) were enrolled. During follow up 28 (1.1%) CIED infections and 132 (5%) deaths, with 152 (5.7%) composite clinical events were observed. At a multivariate analysis, the type of procedure (revision/upgrading/reimplantation) (OR: 4.08, 95% CI: 1.38-12.08) and diabetes (OR: 2.22, 95% CI: 1.02-4.84) were found as main clinical factors associated to CIED infection. Both the PADIT score and the RI-AIAC Infection score were significantly associated with CIED infections, with the RI-AIAC infection score showing the strongest association (OR: 2.38, 95% CI: 1.60-3.55 for each point), with a c-index = 0.64 (0.52-0.75), p = 0.015. Regarding the occurrence of composite clinical events, the Kolek score, the Shariff score and the RI-AIAC Event score all predicted the outcome, with an AUC for the RI-AIAC Event score equal to 0.67 (0.63-0.71) p < 0.001. In this Italian nationwide cohort of patients, while the incidence of CIED infections was substantially low, the rate of the composite clinical outcome of infection or all-cause death was quite high and associated with several clinical factors depicting a more impaired clinical status

Beta-Blocker Use in Older Hospitalized Patients Affected by Heart Failure and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: An Italian Survey From the REPOSI Register

Beta (β)-blockers (BB) are useful in reducing morbidity and mortality in patients with heart failure (HF) and concomitant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Nevertheless, the use of BBs could induce bronchoconstriction due to β2-blockade. For this reason, both the ESC and GOLD guidelines strongly suggest the use of selective β1-BB in patients with HF and COPD. However, low adherence to guidelines was observed in multiple clinical settings. The aim of the study was to investigate the BBs use in older patients affected by HF and COPD, recorded in the REPOSI register. Of 942 patients affected by HF, 47.1% were treated with BBs. The use of BBs was significantly lower in patients with HF and COPD than in patients affected by HF alone, both at admission and at discharge (admission, 36.9% vs. 51.3%; discharge, 38.0% vs. 51.7%). In addition, no further BB users were found at discharge. The probability to being treated with a BB was significantly lower in patients with HF also affected by COPD (adj. OR, 95% CI: 0.50, 0.37-0.67), while the diagnosis of COPD was not associated with the choice of selective β1-BB (adj. OR, 95% CI: 1.33, 0.76-2.34). Despite clear recommendations by clinical guidelines, a significant underuse of BBs was also observed after hospital discharge. In COPD affected patients, physicians unreasonably reject BBs use, rather than choosing a β1-BB. The expected improvement of the BB prescriptions after hospitalization was not observed. A multidisciplinary approach among hospital physicians, general practitioners, and pharmacologists should be carried out for better drug management and adherence to guideline recommendations

The “Diabetes Comorbidome”: A Different Way for Health Professionals to Approach the Comorbidity Burden of Diabetes

(1) Background: The disease burden related to diabetes is increasing greatly, particularly in older subjects. A more comprehensive approach towards the assessment and management of diabetes’ comorbidities is necessary. The aim of this study was to implement our previous data identifying and representing the prevalence of the comorbidities, their association with mortality, and the strength of their relationship in hospitalized elderly patients with diabetes, developing, at the same time, a new graphic representation model of the comorbidome called “Diabetes Comorbidome”. (2) Methods: Data were collected from the RePoSi register. Comorbidities, socio-demographic data, severity and comorbidity indexes (Cumulative Illness rating Scale CIRS-SI and CIRS-CI), and functional status (Barthel Index), were recorded. Mortality rates were assessed in hospital and 3 and 12 months after discharge. (3) Results: Of the 4714 hospitalized elderly patients, 1378 had diabetes. The comorbidities distribution showed that arterial hypertension (57.1%), ischemic heart disease (31.4%), chronic renal failure (28.8%), atrial fibrillation (25.6%), and COPD (22.7%), were the more frequent in subjects with diabetes. The graphic comorbidome showed that the strongest predictors of death at in hospital and at the 3-month follow-up were dementia and cancer. At the 1-year follow-up, cancer was the first comorbidity independently associated with mortality. (4) Conclusions: The “Diabetes Comorbidome” represents the perfect instrument for determining the prevalence of comorbidities and the strength of their relationship with risk of death, as well as the need for an effective treatment for improving clinical outcomes