The pandemic from COVID-19 He highlighted and amplified social and health inequalities in Italy, with significant impacts on mortality and access to treatments. The data presented by theIstat In the document “Audition of the National Statistical Institute”, they highlight how socio-economic, geographical and health factors have influenced mortality rates and access to health services during and after emergency in an unequal way.
Differences in mortality from education level
One of the most relevant aspects is the increase in inequalities in mortality based on level of education. In 2020, people with a qualification elementary or inferior They recorded a mortality rate for Covid-19 of 23.6 for 10 thousand inhabitants between men and 11.5 between women, while for graduates the rates were respectively 16.6 and 6.9. This disparity was further accentuated in 2021, with a mortality rate for Covid-19 of 20.5 for 10 thousand inhabitants among the least educated men, against 12.5 among the graduates. The less educated women recorded a rate of 10.6, compared to 6.3 of graduates. These data confirm that the level of education, often related to more disadvantaged socio-economic conditions, has had a direct impact on virus vulnerability.
The inequalities have also manifested themselves at a territorial level. During the first wave of the pandemic, the Northern Italy It was affected in a particularly severe way, with an excess of mortality of 61.1% compared to the 2015-2019 average. However, in 2021, the geography of mortality has changed: the regions of Noon they recorded a slight increase of deaths, while the North saw one reduction. This shift could be linked to a combination of factors, including the spread of the virus, the vaccination campaign and the differences in accessing health services.
How many people have given up to heal themselves
Access to care It is another critical aspect that emerged during the pandemic. Between 2019 and 2023, the percentage of people who have given up on necessary health services has increased from 6.3% to 7.6%. The main reasons include long waiting lists, economic difficulties and overload of the health system. The elderly were the most affected: in 2023, 9.8% of the over 75 renounced care, compared to 6.6% in 2019. Gender differences are also evident: women have given up more than men (9.0% against 6.2%).
Social inequalities are also reflected in mortality for other causes. In 2020, the illnesses chronic The low respiratory tract, diabetes and tumors have shown an increase in mortality rates among the least educated people. For example, the mortality rate for diabetes was 17.2% higher than in the two-year period 2018-2019, with a greater impact among the least educated. This phenomenon is linked to less healthy lifestyles, less access to late prevention and diagnosis.
Covid also reduced life hopes
The pandemic has had a significant impact on life expectancy in Italy. In 2020, the life expectancy at birth dropped to 82.1 yearswith a loss of 1.1 years compared to 2019. Among men, the drop was more marked (-1.3 years), while for women it was slightly lower (-1 year). 2021 saw a partial recovery, but in 2022 the values remained lower than pre-plays. Only in 2023 was there a return almost to the levels of 2019.
