Health care needs, user needs and socioeconomic conditions

The key factors in the correlation between health care needs, demand and supply of health services in Italy are analyzed. Some organizational and managerial problems of the Italian health service are stressed. In particular, demographic and epidemiological changes occurred in the Italian population and in the hospital supply system are deal with. The growing gap between central, northen and southern Italy is described in terms of health indicators and expenses. Worries on the fact that the present system is not logically and consistently organized to be able to calmly face the challenges of the future, are expressed.