Health · Public Health & Disease · 6 hrs ago
Rheumatic diseases affect about 10 million people in Italy, health minister says
Italy’s Health Minister Orazio Schillaci said about 10 million people in the country have rheumatic diseases, and around 734,000 have severe forms.
These conditions can affect people at different ages, including during working and family life.
They can limit independence, work, social relationships and personal plans.
Schillaci said they require attention beyond specialist treatment, including prevention, diagnosis, rehabilitation and ongoing care.
Italy’s updated essential health-care rules now recognise severe fibromyalgia as a chronic disabling condition.
The government is also reorganising local care, with community health centres intended to make services easier to access and more coordinated.
Schillaci said telemedicine and home care for people over 65 have also advanced through Italy’s recovery plan.
Italy’s health minister said rheumatic diseases affect about 10 million people in the country.
About 734,000 people live with severe forms that are often disabling, he said.
Orazio Schillaci said the diseases can emerge at different ages, including during working and family life.
He described rheumatic diseases as a public health issue involving prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and quality of life.
Schillaci said severe fibromyalgia had been included among recognised chronic disabling conditions in updated essential healthcare services.
- Who
- Health Minister Orazio Schillaci.
- What
- He said rheumatic diseases affect about 10 million people in Italy, including about 734,000 with severe forms.
- When
- October 12, 2026.
- Where
- At a news conference at the Senate in Italy.
- Why
- The news conference was held on the occasion of the 30th World Rheumatic Diseases Day.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
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- People affected
- About 10 million in Italy
- Severe cases
- About 734,000 people
- Minister
- Orazio Schillaci
- Event
- 30th World Rheumatic Diseases Day
- Policy measure
- Severe fibromyalgia included among recognised chronic disabling conditions
What people are saying
Le malattie reumatologiche oggi in Italia interessano circa 10 milioni di persone, di queste 734.000 circa convivono con forme gravi, spesso disabilitanti.
non possiamo considerarlo un tema limitato alla sola assistenza specialistica
Sources
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