Syndromic Surveillance in Public Health Emergencies: A Systematic Analysis of Cases Related to Exposure to 2023 Floodwaters in Romagna, Italy.

Background: In May 2023, Romagna, Italy, faced a devastating flood resulting in 16 fatalities, forced displacement of 26,000 citizens, and significant economic losses. Due to potential water contamination, implementing public health strategies became imperative for the Local Health Authority to mitigate the health consequences, analyze the flood's impact on the local population's health, and detect early anomalies requiring timely public health interventions.

Methods: Between June and July 2023, general practitioners who were part of the RespiVirNet surveillance network completed weekly structured forms.

Adherence to Herpes Zoster (Shingles) Catch-Up Campaign at the Romagna Local Health Authority (Italy), a Multi-Center Retrospective Observational Study.

Herpes Zoster (shingles) is an infection that occurs when varicella-zoster virus reactivates from the latent state. Incidence and severity of Herpes Zoster disease increase with age. Antiviral drugs are the elective treatment; however, prevention of disease reactivation through effective and safe vaccines is available in Italy out-of-pocket from age 65 onwards.

[Impact of the lockdown on children and families: a survey of family pediatricians within a community.].

Objectives: The recent lockdown, resulting from the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, has had a strong social and psychological impact on the most fragile individuals and family structures. In the present work we investigated the experience of families without specific elements of social or health vulnerability during the quarantine period that occurred in the spring of 2020.

Materials And Methods: Between May and July 2020, 22 primary care pediatricians belonging to AUSL Romagna administered to a number of families a questionnaire to detect changes that occurred, during the lockdown, in family environment, school attendance and personal attitudes.

[Tackle health inequality in prevention: state of the art through an assessment of 21 Regional preventive plan 2014-2018].

Background: the Italian health policies awareness on health inequalities (HI) issues is increasing. The National Plan for health prevention and promotion (2014-2018) (PNP) introduced in 2014 a clear political commitment aimed at reducing HI. During 2015, each Italian regions (IRs) elaborated and approved by law its prevention plan (PRP), according to the PNP.

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.

[Features and developments of Primary Care in a Public Health perspective].

In recent years, substantial changes of the population structure have occurred, both at the national and international levels, due to several factors, including demographic changes and technological progress. At the same time, an epidemiological transition is occurring, characterized by a shift from diseases with an acute onset and a rapid resolution, to chronic-degenerative conditions which require more long-term care solutions. This shift seems to contribute to an increased life expectancy of the population, and a larger proportion of elderly individuals having complex health needs.

Quality of dementia clinical guidelines and relevance to the care of older people with comorbidity: evidence from the literature.

Purpose: The aim of this paper was to explore the applicability of dementia clinical guidelines (CGs) to older patients, to patients with one or several comorbidities, and to both targets in order to evaluate if an association between the applicability and quality of the CGs exists.

Materials And Methods: A systematic search strategy conducted on electronic databases identified CGs on diagnosis and treatment of dementia published from 2000 to 2013. In addition, websites of organizations devoted to the treatment and awareness of dementia were searched.

Survey on knowledge, attitudes, and training needs of Italian residents on genetic tests for hereditary breast and colorectal cancer.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess knowledge and attitudes of medical residents working in Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy, on genetic tests for breast and colorectal cancer.

Methods: We distributed self-administered questionnaire to the residents. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the determinants of knowledge and attitudes towards the tests.

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.

A systematic review on the effectiveness of group versus single-handed practice.

Background: Since the 1970s, many countries have employed the use of the General practitioner group practice, but there is contrasting evidence about its effectiveness. A systematic review was performed to assess whether group practice has a more positive impact compared with the single-handed practice on different aspects of health care.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted by querying electronic databases and reviewing articles published between 1990 and 2012.

[Global Health: teaching approaches in Italian and foreign University Faculties of Medicine].

Global Health is an academic subject which focuses on the importance of social, economic, political, demographic and environmental determinants on health. This narrative review examines undergraduate and postgraduate teaching approaches to Global Health in the main Faculties of Medicine in Europe, America and Asia. Differences were found in contents, methods and general approaches to teaching medical students about Global Health in the faculties examined.

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.