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International Journal for Equity in Health
Published in: International Journal for Equity in Health 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research

Low level of attention to health inequalities in prevention planning activities of the Italian Regions

Authors: Corrado De Vito, Azzurra Massimi, Domitilla Di Thiene, Annalisa Rosso, Elvira D’Andrea, Maria Rosaria Vacchio, Paolo Villari, Carolina Marzuillo

Published in: International Journal for Equity in Health | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

Health promotion and prevention activities should tackle health inequalities to reduce disparities in health among disadvantaged populations. This study aimed to assess the extent to which the Italian Regions considered health inequalities during the planning of prevention activities, to detect geographical differences and to identify the possible determinants of differences in attention to health inequalities.

Methods

The 19 Regional Prevention Plans (RPPs) developed by Italian Regions within the National Prevention Plan (NPP) 2010–2013 were assessed using a specific tool to address the level of attention to health inequalities. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify regional characteristics associated with a higher level of attention to health inequalities.

Results

Of the 702 projects included in the 19 RPPs, only 56 (8.0 %) specifically addressed issues related to health inequalities. The results of the multivariate analysis showed that a higher level of attention was associated with the macroarea of intervention ‘prevention in high-risk groups’, with the higher quality of the Strategic Plan Section of the RPP and with the higher percentage of migrants in the Region in 2010. Moreover, projects that addressed the topic of health inequalities were more likely to be developed in the Northern Regions, in Regions with a lower level of ‘linking social capital’ and with a Higher Regional Health Care Expenditure (RHCE) as a percentage of Regional Gross Domestic Product (RGDP) in 2010.

Conclusions

The level of attention to health inequalities in the regional planning process of prevention activities 2010–2013 in Italy is low. The results of this study supported the new round of prevention planning in Italy, and highlight the urgent need to increase the number of policies and interventions able to reduce health inequalities.
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Metadata
Title
Low level of attention to health inequalities in prevention planning activities of the Italian Regions
Authors
Corrado De Vito
Azzurra Massimi
Domitilla Di Thiene
Annalisa Rosso
Elvira D’Andrea
Maria Rosaria Vacchio
Paolo Villari
Carolina Marzuillo
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
International Journal for Equity in Health / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1475-9276
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-016-0318-8

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