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Published in: International Journal of Public Health 6/2019

01-07-2019 | Original article

A fuzzy approach for analysing equitable and sustainable well-being in Italian regions

Authors: Annamaria Porreca, Salvador Cruz Rambaud, Francesca Scozzari, Marta Di Nicola

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 6/2019

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Abstract

Objectives

Recently, the Italian Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) and the National Council for Economy and Labor (CNEL) have proposed a measure for the equitable and sustainable well-being called the BES (“Benessere Equo e Sostenibile”). This paper aims to propose an original application of the fuzzy k-means approach to providing an analysis of the Italian regions according to their BES.

Methods

The fuzzy k-means algorithm was used for clustering the Italian regions according to BES data 2015. Afterwards, a principal component analysis was conducted to show and interpret the results.

Results

There is a clear difference between the regions of the North and the South. The only exceptions are represented by Lazio and Abruzzo, which belong to both groups with almost equal degrees of truth. Moreover, Trentino-Alto Adige and Valle d’Aosta exhibit the best condition, whilst Molise is the worst region.

Conclusions

This study reveals that some Italian regions are in a state of backwardness regarding health, environment, minimum economic conditions, subjective well-being, education, employment conditions, social relationships, and working conditions. Therefore, institutions should consider local policies to address these issues.
Literature
go back to reference Brandolini A, Vecchi G (2013) Standards of living. In: Toniolo G (ed) The Oxford handbook of the Italian economy since unification. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp 227–248 Brandolini A, Vecchi G (2013) Standards of living. In: Toniolo G (ed) The Oxford handbook of the Italian economy since unification. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp 227–248
go back to reference Maechler M, Rousseeuw P, Struyf A et al (2018) Cluster: cluster analysis basics and extensions. R package version 2.0.7-1 Maechler M, Rousseeuw P, Struyf A et al (2018) Cluster: cluster analysis basics and extensions. R package version 2.0.7-1
Metadata
Title
A fuzzy approach for analysing equitable and sustainable well-being in Italian regions
Authors
Annamaria Porreca
Salvador Cruz Rambaud
Francesca Scozzari
Marta Di Nicola
Publication date
01-07-2019
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
International Journal of Public Health / Issue 6/2019
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-019-01262-9

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