In the current year, 501,922 people (8.5 residents per 1,000) found themselves in health poverty. This means that they had to ask for help from one of the 2,034 welfare organizations affiliated with Banco Farmaceutico in order to receive free medicines and treatments that they would otherwise not have been able to afford. Compared to 463,176 in 2024, there has been an increase of 8.4%.
People living in health poverty are predominantly men (51.6% of the sample, compared to 48.4% of women) and adults (aged 18-64, accounting for 58%). The proportion of minors is particularly significant, numbering 145,557 (29%), more than the elderly, who account for 21.8% (109,419). In terms of health conditions, the acutely ill (56%) outnumber the chronically ill (44%).
This is what emerges from the 12th Report Donare per curare – Povertà Sanitaria e Donazione Farmaci (Donate to Cure – Healthcare Poverty and Drug Donation) produced by OPSan – Osservatorio sulla Povertà Sanitaria (Healthcare Poverty Observatory, a research body of Banco Farmaceutico). The data was presented on December 5, 2023, at a conference promoted by Banco Farmaceutico and AIFA.
The Report was produced thanks to the unconditional contribution of IBSA Italy and ABOCA.
Read the press release.
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