Antibiotic prescribing in paediatric populations: a comparison between Viareggio, Italy and Funen, Denmark.

Background: High rates of antibiotic prescribing in paediatric populations represent a major issue because of the problem of antibiotic resistance. North European countries reported an appropriate use of antibiotics in general population; few studies on this issue have been conducted until now, especially in Italy. Therefore a comparison concerning paediatric antibiotic prescribing rates between an Italian administrative area in Tuscany (Viareggio) and the county of Funen (Denmark) was conducted.

[End-of-life and palliative care: the experience of the Tuscany region, Italy].

This paper summarizes a research of the Regional Agency for Health in Tuscany (Florence, Italy) on end-of-life and palliative care. The evolving concepts and definitions at the international level as well as some relevant experiences of research and intervention are reported. The national context is described through recent legislation and the state-of-the art of health services.