Between 2022 and 2023, 18% of Italians over 65—around 2.6 million people—reported that in the past year, they had to forgo at least one medical appointment or diagnostic test they needed. When excluding those who reported no need for medical care, the share of those who missed necessary care rose to 23%. While 61% of respondents did not forgo any care, 21% stated they had no need for medical visits or tests.
The primary reasons for missing care included long waiting lists (cited in 55% of cases), logistical challenges in reaching healthcare facilities or inconvenient scheduling (13%), and high costs of services (10%), according to data released today by ISS’s Passi d’Argento monitoring program.
The findings highlight disparities in access to healthcare, with significant variations based on socioeconomic status and region of residence. Those facing financial difficulties were more likely to skip care (39% among those struggling financially compared to 20% among those without financial hardship). Additionally, people with lower educational levels (24% for those with an elementary education versus 19% for college graduates) and those living in central and southern Italy (27% compared to 16% in the north) were more likely to forego needed care. Women were also more likely to miss out on services (25% compared to 21% of men), while age differences did not significantly impact access to care.
