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.

Complications in thyroid surgery. Harmonic Scalpel, Harmonic Focus versus Conventional Hemostasis: A meta-analysis.

Background: To evaluate the incidence of postoperative complications, hemostatic effects and safety of Total Thyroidectomy (TT) performed using the Harmonic Scalpel (HS), the Harmonic Focus (HF) or Conventional Hemostasis (CH).

Methods: The meta-analysis was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. A literature search was conducted from 2003 to 2014 and stringent criteria were required for inclusion.

The impact of level of education on adherence to breast and cervical cancer screening: Evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To assess the inequalities in adherence to breast and cervical cancer screening according to educational level.

Methods: A systematic review was carried out between 2000 and 2013 by querying an electronic database using specific keywords. Studies published in English reporting an estimation of the association between level of education and adherence to breast and/or cervical cancer screening were included in the study.

The impact of regional co-payment and national reimbursement criteria on statins use in Italy: an interrupted time-series analysis.

Background: Statins are among the most commonly prescribed drugs worldwide in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and their effectiveness is largely acknowledged. The consumption of statins increased four-fold during the 2000-2010 decade in Italy and national and regional control policies were developed. Restrictions to reimbursement were fixed at the national level, whereas co-payment was introduced in some, but not all, regions.

Impact of regional copayment policy on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) consumption and expenditure in Italy.

Purpose: The continuous growth of antidepressant consumption and expenditure, especially for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), has led to the adoption of several policy measures directed toward cost control in Western countries. In Italy, copayment policies have been heterogeneously introduced at a regional level as part of a strategy designed to reduce drug consumption. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether regional copayment policies have affected trends in the consumption of and expenditure for SSRIs from 2001 to 2007.

Socioeconomic disparities in the uptake of breast and cervical cancer screening in Italy: a cross sectional study.

Background: Breast and cervical cancer screening are widely recognized as effective preventive procedures in reducing cancer mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of socioeconomic disparities in the uptake of female screening in Italy, with a specific focus on different types of screening programs.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the 2004-2005 national health interview survey.

Socio-economic status and prevention of cardiovascular disease in Italy: evidence from a national health survey.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death and disability in the world. Many cardiovascular risk factors can be prevented. We assessed whether socio-economic factors are associated with individual preventive behaviours in Italy.