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The aim was to examine social, university, health-related differences among heterosexual and Sexual Minority Medical students (SM-Meds), and explore predictors of help-seeking behavior (i.e., current psychological support and hypothetical university counseling use). A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted in Italy (2018). Questionnaires included socio-demographic items and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Chi-squared tests and multivariable regressions adjusted for BDI-II score were performed (sample size = 2513). SM-Meds were 13.9%. SM-Meds with depressive symptoms were 40.5%. Both considering overall and non-depressed students, SM-Meds exercised less and had worst relationships with family and classmates. Psychological support was reported by 6.1% (SM-Meds: 12.8%) and hypothetical counseling use by 42.7% (SM-Meds: 47.1%). Multivariable models showed SM-Meds had significant higher likelihood of psychological support. Therefore, SM-Meds reported higher help-seeking behavior, lower physical activity and social support. Universities should promote more inclusive learning climate and activities to increase exercise, especially among SM-Meds., Author(s): Giuseppina Lo Moro [sup.1] , Paolo Leombruni [sup.2] , Fabrizio Bert [sup.1] [sup.3] , Roberta Siliquini [sup.1] [sup.3] , Alessio Corradi [sup.1] [sup.1] , Maria Rosaria Gualano [sup.1] , [...]

Problem After Italy's first national restriction measures in 2020, a robust approach was needed to monitor the emerging epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at subnational level and provide data to inform the strengthening or easing of epidemic control measures. Approach We adapted the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control rapid risk assessment tool by including quantitative and qualitative indicators from existing national surveillance systems. We defined COVID-19 risk as a combination of the probability of uncontrolled transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and of an unsustainable impact of COVID-19 cases on hospital services, adjusted in relation to the health system's resilience. The monitoring system was implemented with no additional cost in May 2020. Local setting The infectious diseases surveillance system in Italy uses consistent data collection methods across the country's decentralized regions and autonomous provinces. Relevant changes Weekly risk assessments using this approach were sustainable in monitoring the epidemic at regional level from 4 May 2020 to 24 September 2021. The tool provided reliable assessments of when and where a rapid increase in demand for health-care services would occur if control or mitigation measures were not increased in the following 3 weeks. Lessons learnt Although the system worked well, framing the risk assessment tool in a legal decree hampered its flexibility, as indicators could not be changed without changing the law. The relative complexity of the tool, the impossibility of real-time validation and its use for the definition of restrictions posed communication challenges. Probleme Apres avoir pris ses premieres mesures de restriction nationales en 2020, l'Italie avait besoin d'une approche solide pour surveiller l'epidemie naissante de maladie a coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) au niveau regional, et fournir les donnees permettant de renforcer ou d'alleger les mesures destinees a l'endiguer. Approche Nous avons adapte l'outil d'evaluation rapide des risques du Centre europeen de prevention et de controle des maladies en y integrant des indicateurs quantitatifs et qualitatifs issus des systemes de surveillance nationaux existants. Pour definir le risque lie a la COVID-19, nous avons associe la probabilite d'une transmission incontrolee du coronavirus 2 du syndrome respiratoire aigu severe, a l'impact immediat des cas de COVID-19 sur les services hospitaliers, en procedant a des ajustements selon la resilience du systeme de soins de sante. Le dispositif de surveillance a ete mis en reuvre en mai 2020 sans entrainer de couts supplementaires. Environnement local En Italie, le systeme de surveillance des maladies infectieuses repose sur des methodes uniformes de collecte de donnees dans les provinces autonomes et regions decentralisees a travers le pays. Changements significatifs Les evaluations des risques realisees toutes les semaines avec cette approche ont permis de surveiller l'epidemie a l'echelle regionale du 4 mai 2020 au 24 septembre 2021. L'outil a identifie les dates et lieux susceptibles de connaitre une augmentation rapide de la demande en services de soins de sante si aucune mesure supplementaire de controle et de lutte n'etait prise dans les trois semaines. Lecons tirees Bien que le systeme ait fonctionne, inscrire l'outil d'evaluation des risques dans un decret legislatif a reduit sa flexibilite, car les indicateurs ne pouvaient etre modifies sans reformer la loi. La relative complexite de l'outil, l'impossibilite de proceder a une validation en temps reel et son usage pour imposer des restrictions ont pose des problemes de communication. Situacion Tras las primeras medidas nacionales de restriccion en Italia en 2020, se necesitaba un enfoque solido para supervisar la epidemia emergente de la coronavirosis de 2019 (COVID-19) a nivel subnacional y proporcionar datos que informaran sobre el refuerzo o la flexibilizacion de las medidas de contencion de la epidemia. Enfoque Se adapto la herramienta de valoracion rapida de riesgos del Centro Europeo para la Prevencion y el Control de las Enfermedades, al incluir indicadores cuantitativos y cualitativos de los sistemas nacionales de vigilancia existentes. Se definio el riesgo de la COVID-19 como una combinacion de la probabilidad de transmision descontrolada del coronavirus del sindrome respiratorio agudo grave de tipo 2 y de un efecto no sostenible de los casos de la COVID-19 en los servicios hospitalarios, y se ajusto en relacion con la capacidad de recuperacion del sistema sanitario. El sistema de supervision se aplico sin costes adicionales en mayo de 2020. Marco regional El sistema de vigilancia de las enfermedades infecciosas en Italia aplica metodos de recopilacion de datos coherentes en todas las regiones y provincias autonomas descentralizadas del pais. Cambios importantes Las valoraciones semanales de los riesgos mediante este enfoque fueron sostenibles en la supervision de la epidemia a nivel regional entre el 4 de mayo de 2020 y el 24 de septiembre de 2021. La herramienta proporciono valoraciones fiables de cuando y donde se produciria un rapido aumento de la demanda de servicios sanitarios si no se incrementaban las medidas de contencion o mitigacion en las tres semanas siguientes. Lecciones aprendidas Aunque el sistema funciono bien, el hecho de enmarcar la herramienta de valoracion de los riesgos en un decreto legal dificulto su flexibilidad, ya que los indicadores no se podian modificar sin cambiar la ley. La relativa complejidad de la herramienta, la imposibilidad de validacion en tiempo real y su uso para la definicion de las restricciones plantearon problemas de comunicacion., Introduction In its first response to the emerging epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Italian government implemented national restriction measures with strict physical distancing and restrictions on public movements [...]

On February 21, 2020, the earliest known case of locally transmitted severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) infection was reported in Italy (1; D. Cereda et al., unpub. data, [...]

Vaccine hesitancy has been included among the top ten threats to global health by the World Health Organization. Pharmacists can play a pivotal role in removing the individual barrier to vaccination, because of the relationship of trust they have with citizens and their ease of access. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of a pharmacy-based intervention to support the 2019 influenza vaccination campaign conducted in the Carnia district through one-to-one counseling. We analyzed data collected by pharmacists between 22 October 2019 and 20 January 2020, and trends in vaccination adherence in the context of the Local Health Authority and the entire province of Udine since 2016. The results showed that 77.2% of people who had not received an influenza vaccination in the previous year changed their minds about vaccination after receiving counseling. The pharmacy-based intervention improved influenza vaccination adherence in the target district (+13.4%), even when compared to the neighboring district of Gemona or considering the data in the broader local and provincial context, and this effect was particularly pronounced among those aged 65 to 74 years (p < 0.01). Considering these findings, pharmacies should be more effectively involved in the provision of public health services aimed at improving accessibility, timeliness, and equity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious health threat, and it has high priority among the European public health agenda. The development and implementation of the National Action Plans (NAPs) with a One-Health perspective to fight AMR was supported in 2017 by the European Union (EU) through a Joint Action on Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections (EU-JAMRAI). The Italian National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità), supported by the University of Udine, and the University of Foggia were among the 44 partners involved. This paper describes the results of EU-JAMRAI relevant to Italy and its impact on national policies. Methods: The activities involved national and international experts who worked in groups, either in virtual or face-to-face meetings. Country-to-country visits were organized to assess and compare the national strategies to counteract AMR and to exchange best practices. In addition, qualitative research methods, particularly focus groups (FGs) and structured interviews, were carried out to collect information and opinions from the experts. Results: The Italian team of experts from the Ministry of Health and the University of Foggia visited the Netherlands and hosted the Polish expert team in Italy. In two FG, stakeholders' opinions from different organizations were collected and analyzed to identify critical areas and provide recommendations to ensure implementation of the NAP and effective One-Health integration. In addition, attitudes of medical professionals toward antimicrobial stewardship were evaluated in a medium/large Italian hospital. Strengths were identified in the multidisciplinary approach and the hospital management's proactive involvement. As for the veterinary sector, Italy was among the 10 EU countries that did not have any national AMR surveillance in place for animal bacterial pathogens. Consequently, a European surveillance system was proposed with the adhesion of Italy. Regarding research and innovation to fight AMR and healthcare-associated infection, Italy worked with the other European partners to identify national research gaps and opportunities. As a result, recommendations were issued to the authorities to promote research and innovation with a One-Health approach. Conclusions: The Italian participation in the EU JAMRAI provided experience and examples to the Italian government for implementing the NAP and planning the roadmap to fight AMR and helped point out the system's criticalities. It also supported the promotion of the One-Health integrated vision that was included in the updated NAP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Urban planning is a key tool to promote health in cities. The COVID-19 emergency accelerated several social, environmental, and digital challenges, stressing the importance of some issues regarding housing, urban mobility, green areas, and health service networks, urban health policies, and actions. These issues were the subject of an intensive residential course (the 57th) held in Erice, Sicily, in June 2021 in the "International School of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine G. D'Alessandro", and the main findings are described here. Methods. Lectures presented the topics, subsequently developed them, and argued them in parallel practical sessions using the World Café technique, since it is well suited for the interaction of participants and the involvement of groups. Results. The World Café provides new insights into how to improve the livability and health of urban spaces, and a set of strategies and actions were proposed for each topic. Discussion and Conclusions. All attendees agreed on the importance of participation in the planning processes, but also on the need for strong political support to ensure the resources needed and a full integration of health with other local policies. A multidisciplinary approach to developing systemic operational capacities and health literacy is considered pivotal to raising awareness and participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]