๐ฎ๐นap italian review
6.5 Health and Well-Being
Verified for the 2025 AP Italian examโขLast Updated on June 18, 2024
Health and Well-Being ๐ฅ ๐ ๐ ๐จ๐ผโโ๏ธ
Healthcare is very important in Italian society because the system in place works extremely hard to ensure that its citizens are maintaining quality health, preventing and managing diseases, and living long ๐ (as evidenced by the average life expectancy of 83 years). Italy might suffer from high unemployment and an unstable job market, but its people are some of the healthiest in the world. Italians have significantly lower blood pressure and cholesterol than Americans and an overall less stressful lifestyle.
*According to TreeHugger, "The Global Health Index looked at 163 countries. It calculated a โhealth scoreโ, based on likeliness of mortality by disease or injury, life expectancy at various ages, and probability of survival at key times. From this score is subtracted โhealth risk penalties,โ which measure damaging behavioral factors (i.e. smoking, obesity, and childhood malnutrition) and environmental factors (i.e. pollution and lack of clean drinking water). The final result is a โhealth grade.โ
- Italy is the #1 country in the world, with a health grade of 93.11 ๐๐ป
- USA is only #34 in the world, with a health grade of 73.05
Why Do Italians Live so Long??
- Strong healthcare system
- Mediterranean diet โ fresh fruit ๐, vegetables ๐ , fish ๐, olive oil
- Healthy work/pleasure balance
- Nice pace of life โ values sunshine ๐, family time, long walks...
- Mindset โ more relaxed, less stressed
Healthcare System ๐จ๐ฝโโ๏ธ ๐ฉ๐พโโ๏ธ
The healthcare system in Italy is a regionally-based national health service known as Servizio Sanitario Nazionale. It provides universal coverage to citizens, free of charge, and treatments such as tests, medicines, surgeries, and doctor visits are all covered. The public healthcare facilities vary based on region, and the wealth in that specific area, but overall, Italy has some of the best doctors and hospitals in the world.
Italy vs USA: Healthcare Edition
- Italy - sistema pubblico gratuito, tasse elevate da pagare per le cure, meno medici e linee piรน lunghe negli ospedali, diviso tra Nord / Sud in termini di qualitร dell'assistenza sanitaria
- USA - sistema pubblico chiamato "Medicare" ma la maggior parte delle persone ha assistenza privata, molte persone bisognose non hanno assistenza sanitaria perchรฉ troppo costosa, un grande dibattito tra pubblico e privato
- BOTH - i medici ricevono la migliore istruzione, i cittadini italiani e gli stati uniti vivono molto a lungo, molti medici specializzati, un gran numero di iniziative per promuovere una migliore salute generale, non un sistema perfetto
Strive for Five Vocab ๐ ๐
- L'assistenza sanitaria - healthcare
- La sanitร - health
- La testa - head
- Il paziente - patient
- L'infermiere - nurse
- La farmacia - pharmacy
- Il/la dottore - doctor
- L'assicurazione - insurance
- Salutare - to be healthy
- Il sostengo - support
- Tenere in vita - to keep alive
Key Terms to Review (11)
Il paziente: Il paziente refers to a person who is receiving medical treatment or care. This term is central to the healthcare system, emphasizing the importance of patient-centered care and the relationship between healthcare providers and those they treat. Understanding the role of il paziente is crucial for improving health outcomes and ensuring that individuals feel respected and understood throughout their medical journey.
Il/la dottore: Il/la dottore refers to a medical professional, commonly known as a doctor, who diagnoses and treats illnesses and injuries. This term is integral to discussions surrounding health and well-being, as doctors play a vital role in patient care, preventative medicine, and public health. They work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices, ensuring that individuals receive appropriate medical attention and guidance for maintaining their health.
Il sostegno: Il sostegno refers to support or assistance provided to individuals, particularly in the context of health and well-being. This term encompasses a range of services and resources designed to help people manage their health, cope with challenges, and improve their overall quality of life. The concept is crucial in understanding how different forms of support contribute to mental and physical health, emphasizing the importance of community and healthcare systems in promoting well-being.
La farmacia: La farmacia is a healthcare facility where medications are dispensed, and health-related services are provided to the public. It serves as a crucial link in the healthcare system, offering access to prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and advice on various health issues. Pharmacists play an essential role in ensuring patients understand their medications and can manage their health effectively.
L'assicurazione: L'assicurazione refers to a system of protection against financial loss or risk, commonly used in the health sector to cover medical expenses and ensure access to healthcare services. This term plays a crucial role in promoting well-being by allowing individuals to seek necessary medical treatment without the burden of overwhelming costs, thus contributing to overall health security.
L'infermiere: L'infermiere refers to the nurse, a vital healthcare professional responsible for providing care, support, and education to patients in various medical settings. Nurses play a crucial role in the healthcare system, often acting as a bridge between patients and doctors, ensuring that patients receive proper treatment and emotional support throughout their healthcare journey.
Mediterranean diet: The Mediterranean diet is a nutritional model inspired by the traditional eating habits of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea, emphasizing whole foods, healthy fats, and moderate consumption of animal products. It promotes a balanced approach to eating that supports overall health and well-being, incorporating elements like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and olive oil as primary components.
Medicare: Medicare is a federal health insurance program in the United States primarily designed for people aged 65 and older, but also available for certain younger individuals with disabilities or specific medical conditions. It plays a critical role in ensuring access to healthcare services for millions of Americans, helping them manage medical expenses, including hospital stays, doctor visits, and prescription drugs.
Salutare: Salutare is an Italian term that translates to 'to greet' or 'to salute.' In the context of health and well-being, it emphasizes the importance of greetings and social interactions in promoting mental and emotional health. Positive social connections and friendly greetings can enhance overall well-being, making salutare a key concept in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Servizio Sanitario Nazionale: The Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN) is Italy's national health service, established in 1978 to provide comprehensive healthcare to all residents. This system operates on the principle of universal coverage, ensuring that medical services are accessible without direct charges at the point of care, thereby promoting overall health and well-being for the population.
Sistema pubblico gratuito: Il sistema pubblico gratuito si riferisce a un modello di assistenza sanitaria in cui i servizi medici sono forniti senza costi diretti per gli utenti. Questo sistema รจ fondamentale per garantire l'accesso universale alle cure sanitarie, promuovendo il benessere della popolazione attraverso l'uguaglianza nell'accesso ai servizi medici e prevenendo le disuguaglianze sociali e sanitarie.