Abstract

Inequalities in access to health services are known to be an important determinant of heterogeneity in health conditions among a population. Here, we examine the change in the access to health services between the Italian regions as a consequence of the economic crisis of 2008. The literature on health inequalities shows a widening of health disparities at the regional level between 2005 and 2013. This work is aimed at assessing if a broadening of inequality is present also in relation to access to care. Relying on survey data from the Italian National Institute of Statistics concerning some healthcare indicators, we find that for three out of four of them a worsening in the access to services for the less educated in some southern regions of the country is present, in particular Campania and Sicily.