Keywords
Environment and Public Health
Vaccine coverage
Chronic Disease Management;
Abstract
Introduction: This report evaluates the Italian Ministry of Health’s Decree No. 77 of 23 May 2022, aimed at standardizing preventive healthcare nationwide. It highlights regional disparities in healthcare access and explores innovative approaches, including Regulation 13/2023 of the Apulia Region (Southern Italy), to improve health outcomes. Methods: The report compares the healthcare management systems of northern and southern Italy, focusing on vaccination rates, chronic disease management, and the integration of environmental health. It examines the Apulian regulatory model, emphasizing environmental determinants such as air quality monitoring and predictive analytics to mitigate climate-related health risks. Additionally, comparisons are made with decentralized healthcare systems in Spain, Germany, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Results: The Apulia model led to significant health improvements, including a 25% reduction in waterborne diseases and a 12% reduction in heatwave-related hospitalizations. Multidisciplinary collaboration and community engagement enhanced policy effectiveness and public confidence. Conclusions: This report underscores the importance of balancing national health guidelines with regional autonomy to address health inequalities. The Apulia model demonstrates the need for integrating environmental health factors and offers a replicable framework to improve health equity and resilience. Recommendations include strengthening administrative capacity, fostering inter-regional collaboration, and promoting innovative regional healthcare approaches.
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