State of the Art Review
State-of-the-Art Review on Diabetes Care in Italy
Authors:
Olga Disoteo ,
Diabetology Department, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy
About Olga
MD
Franco Grimaldi,
Division of Endocrinology, Metabolic Diseases and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Santa Maria della Misericordia, Udine, Italy
About Franco
MD
Enrico Papini,
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Regina Apostolorum Hospital, Albano Laziale (Rome), Italy
About Enrico
MD, FACE
Roberto Attanasio,
Endocrinology Service, Galeazzi Institute IRCCS, Milan, Italy
About Roberto
MD, PhD
Laura Tonutti,
Division of Endocrinology, Metabolic Diseases and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Santa Maria della Misericordia, Udine, Italy
About Laura
MD
Maria Antonietta Pellegrini,
Division of Endocrinology, Metabolic Diseases and Clinical Nutrition, University Hospital Santa Maria della Misericordia, Udine, Italy
About Maria Antonietta
MD
Rinaldo Guglielmi,
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Regina Apostolorum Hospital, Albano Laziale (Rome), Italy
About Rinaldo
MD
Giorgio Borretta
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Santa Croce and Carle Hospital, Cuneo, Italy
About Giorgio
MD
Abstract
Background
Diabetes is a significant health problem in Italy as in other western countries.
Objective
To review available epidemiological data and the legislative framework for diabetes care in Italy.
Methods
Review of Italian Health Ministry's official documents and analysis of epidemiological data published by Italian Scientific Societies.
Findings
Diabetes affects more than 5% of the Italian population. The expenditures for the care of people with diabetes are about €10 billion ($US 11 billion) a year and are increasing over time. Italian law regulates the clinical care of people with diabetes and creates a clinical framework involving medical organizations, prevention programs, personnel training, and legal protection. The National Health Program is structured in essential levels of assistance that can be defined differently in the various regions. In 2013, the “National Diabetes Plan,” defining priority areas for intervention, was approved and represents the main regulatory tool for the management of diabetes within the Italian National Health Service. In Italy, the status of diabetes care is being monitored using the data from 2 permanent observatories: the ARNO Observatory Diabetes and the Associazione Medici Diabetologi Annals.
Conclusions
A comprehensive approach to diabetes is offered to all citizens, consonant with the constitutionally guaranteed right to health. However, this important effort translates into a relevant financial burden for the National Health Service.
How to Cite:
Disoteo, O., Grimaldi, F., Papini, E., Attanasio, R., Tonutti, L., Pellegrini, M.A., Guglielmi, R. and Borretta, G., 2016. State-of-the-Art Review on Diabetes Care in Italy. Annals of Global Health, 81(6), pp.803–813. DOI: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.aogh.2015.12.013
Published on
22 Apr 2016.
Peer Reviewed
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