Information specialists and researchers working together for health promotion: Benefits from school-work educational programmes at the National Institute of Health in Italy.

In 2015, the Italian Ministry of Education in Italy launched innovative upper school educational programmes envisaging school-work initiatives. In this framework, the National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, ISS) was among the first scientific institutions to develop educational programmes with school. Involving school students in health research activities allowed health literacy improvement, acquisition of scientific communication skills and fostered student interest in science careers.

[Pilot study on compulsory vaccination coverage].

The disappearance of diphtheria and poliomyelitis is the best evidence of the efficacy of the vaccination strategies adopted in Italy. The active offer of the prophylaxis, reinforced by law, has characterised the operational aspects of the strategy. The active surveillance system is the main tool to take under control the effectiveness of health services responsible for vaccination.

[Incidence of measles in Italy in the 1985-1994 period].

Measles notifications in Italy underestimate the actual incidence by a factor of ten, as it is ascertained by seroepidemiological investigation. In the decade 1980-89, 45,000 measles cases were notified, on average, per year. Since 1988 mass vaccination campaigns were implemented in several Italian regions.

[Care in pregnancy, labor, and during the puerperium in Italy].

In 1995-96 a KAP (knowledge, attitude and practice) survey on care during pregnancy, delivery and in the post-natal period was carried out in Italy by the National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità). A sample of 9004 women was interviewed in 13 regions within two months of the delivery. Care during pregnancy was generally at a good standard, but with an excessive use of some medical procedures.