Italy’s Universal Health Care and the Role of Solidarity Marco Crescenzi, MD, PhD

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/italys-universal-health-care-and-role-solidarity-2026a1000ryu Universal healthcare is one of Europe’s greatest achievements, yet we often take it for granted because we assume it will always be there. It is not. The concept originated in the UK and was first implemented in the aftermath of World War II. A population exhausted by the conflict, impoverished, and starving had an enormous need for healthcare. Therefore, in 1948, the British National Health Service was established based on the significant role of the state and universality of the right to health. The model was successful and emulated by many countries in Europe and other continents.