Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases in Italy
In Italy, both non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and communicable diseases (CDs) significantly impact public health. These two broad categories require distinct strategies and resources from Italy’s healthcare system to manage their prevalence, reduce risk factors, and improve population well-being.
Non-communicable diseases, which are not transmissible among individuals and often develop over long periods, constitute a major health burden. Cardiovascular diseases remain one of the leading causes of death and disability, largely attributed to modifiable risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, lack of exercise, and smoking. Public health initiatives in Italy have focused on prevention by promoting healthier lifestyles and reducing smoking rates.
Communicable diseases, which spread between people, continue to require vigilance. Seasonal influenza and respiratory infections are persistent issues, especially for vulnerable populations. Annual vaccination campaigns are critical in protecting at-risk groups. Further, diseases such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, though less prevalent, benefit from robust public health approaches centered on education, treatment access, and timely diagnosis.
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Diabetes
Diabetes is a major health concern in Italy, significantly impacting millions, especially among older adults given the country’s aging population. The majority of cases are type 2 diabetes, which is associated with modern lifestyle factors like unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and rising obesity rates. This widespread condition brings about serious medical complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, nerve damage, and vision problems, which all diminish the quality of life for patients and often require long-term medical care.
The daily management of diabetes involves consistently monitoring blood sugar, adhering to medication routines, and maintaining strict dietary control. This ongoing responsibility poses emotional and physical burdens not just on patients but also on their families. Furthermore, there are noticeable regional disparities; southern Italy reports higher rates of diabetes, partly due to tougher economic circumstances and less accessible healthcare, thus making early diagnosis and effective treatment more challenging for some.
From an economic viewpoint, diabetes exerts considerable pressure on Italy’s national healthcare system. Patients with diabetes tend to utilize healthcare resources more heavily than those without, driving up costs for hospitals and the government. The disease also negatively affects workforce productivity, as people may require time off for appointments or suffer from work-limiting complications, collectively reducing economic efficiency and increasing public expenditures.
Despite these obstacles, Italy benefits from a robust public healthcare network, the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale, which ensures that treatment and care are available to all citizens. Diabetes centers specialize in prevention and management, but prevention remains the toughest challenge. Encouraging healthier behaviors and promoting the traditional Mediterranean diet could help reduce future diabetes cases. Addressing these issues through comprehensive health initiatives is essential for controlling diabetes rates, easing healthcare costs, and improving quality of life across the country.
Cardiovascular Disease
Italy faces a high burden of cardiovascular disease, which causes 44% of deaths, but maintains relatively long life expectancy despite a recent drop due to the pandemic. The healthcare system is universal and focuses on prevention, providing free access to cardiovascular care and new drugs. Access to advanced treatments and quality of care varies by region, reflecting both resource and administrative differences. The pandemic highlighted existing challenges such as underfunding, outdated equipment, and unequal hospital resources. Recent funding from the EU aims to address infrastructure, digital, and workforce issues. While Italian cardiology collaborates internationally and maintains a strong research tradition, funding and training durations are seen as inadequate. Plans for the future include modernizing the health system, reducing bureaucracy, and ensuring equal, high-quality care and research opportunities.
Cancer
In 2022, Italy’s cancer incidence rate was slightly lower than the EU average for men but higher for women, while cancer mortality was 6% below the EU average and fell by 15% between 2011 and 2021. Nevertheless, the country’s five-year cancer prevalence was around 6% higher than the EU average, indicating that more people were living with cancer.
When it comes to risk factors, Italy generally performs better than most EU countries, especially regarding alcohol use, overweight, and diet quality. However, exposure to air pollution is above average, and smoking rates—declining over the past decade—have started to rise again since the pandemic, especially among young adults. The prevalence of overweight and obesity remains low overall, but significant disparities exist based on education level.
Italy has well-established screening programs for breast, colorectal, and cervical cancers, and plans exist to expand these further. However, screening rates for breast and colorectal cancers are still below pre-pandemic levels and differ greatly by region. While new screening programs are being explored for prostate and lung cancer, and cervical cancer screening is transitioning to HPV DNA testing, the pace of these changes varies regionally.
Comprehensive cancer care is provided free of charge by Italy’s National Health Service, yet access remains uneven, with the north benefitting from more resources like radiotherapy equipment compared to the south. Cancer is expected to lower national life expectancy by nearly two years from 2023 to 2050, and rising drug costs are likely to push health expenditure above the EU average. Even with progressive policies for survivors, there are still gaps in rehabilitation services and coverage, especially in certain regions.
References
Universal Health Care System and Cardiovascular Disease Burden in Italy | Circulation, www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.121.057496. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
Bonora, Enzo, et al. “Clinical Burden of Diabetes in Italy in 2018: A Look at a Systemic Disease from the Arno Diabetes Observatory.” BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7383948. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
I T A L Y European Cancer Inequalities Registry Country Cancer Profile 2025, www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2025/02/eu-country-cancer-profile-italy-2025_f9063083/1e742c63-en.pdf. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.