Health spending in Italy: a growing burden on household
The findings from Fondazione Gimbe highlight a concerning increase in healthcare expenses for Italian households in 2022, raising serious socio-health questions.
A Growing Financial Burden on Family Units
The analysis conducted by Fondazione Gimbe underscores a worrisome trend. Throughout 2022, Italian families had to bear a considerable burden for healthcare expenses. This situation raises serious socio-health questions.
Increasing Financial Strain for Family Units
The data gathered shows that healthcare spending directly borne by Italian families reached nearly 37 billion euros in 2022. A substantial increase compared to previous years. In concrete terms, over 25.2 million families had to allocate an average of 1,362 euros for healthcare expenses. An increase of over 64 euros compared to the previous year: a significant burden.
Regional Disparities and Health Risks
What emerges clearly is a marked territorial inequality. In the regions of the Mezzogiorno, where the provision of Essential Levels of Care is often inadequate, economic difficulties have a more severe impact. In these areas, more than 4.2 million families had to limit healthcare expenses. Furthermore, over 1.9 million people had to forgo healthcare services due to economic reasons. A situation that exposes over 2.1 million indigent families to health risks, highlighting a profound gap in access to care.
The Need for Targeted Policies Against Poverty
Fondazione Gimbe’s president, Nino Cartabellotta, emphasizes the urgency of adopting policies aimed at combating poverty. Not only to ensure a dignified standard of living but also to address inequalities in access to care and prevent serious health consequences for the most vulnerable. Cartabellotta particularly highlights the risk of further deterioration in the South Italy. In these areas, the health, economic, and social impact could worsen further with the introduction of differentiated autonomy.
In 2022, the analysis in Italy revealed the need to ensure equitable and accessible care for all, reducing costs for families and bridging regional disparities. Only through concrete policies aimed at combating poverty and strengthening the national healthcare system can the health of every Italian citizen be effectively protected, regardless of economic conditions or place of residence.
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