Italy Votes to Combat Obesity: New Fund Established for Prevention and Care
longest and most widely accepted, it has also been a concern predominantly faced by the privileged, due to exorbitant drug costs. However, Italy is now taking a decisive step towards democratizing the fight against obesity. The country’s parliament has approved an amendment, introduced by Roberto Pella, a deputy from Forza Italia, that established a fund dedicated to obesity prevention and treatment within the Ministero della Salute.
The Pella amendment, backed by Simdo (Italian Society for Metabolic Diseases, Diabetes, and Obesity), allocates €1 million annually for 2025, 2026, and 2027, with additional funding of €200,000 in 2025, €300,000 in 2026, and €700,000 in 2027, thanks to the intervention of Stefano Benigni, the capogruppo in Commissione XII.
Vincenzo Provenzano, the renowned diabetologist, director of the Santa Chiara clinic specializing in obesity, and president of Simdo, hailed the decision. "This is a turning point for public health," he said. "Obesity isn’t just about appearance; it’s the gateway to numerous debilitating diseases like cardiovascular issues, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. The fund will not only tackle obesity directly but also save resources for these related conditions."
Provenzano also credited the consistent efforts of scientific societies for influencing this political shift. "The unanimous approval of the Pella amendment marks the start of a new era in managing obesity in Italy," he concluded.