“We want to teach correct lifestyles in school, at least one hour a week, as was once done with civic education.” For the Minister of Health Orazio Schillaci, increasing the number of Italians who follow the Mediterranean diet is a “priority”. «Increase its diffusion as much as possible» he explains to the Messaggero on the sidelines of an event in Paestum («I’m speaking to you in the shadow of the Temple of Athena, there are worse places…”) on the first national day dedicated to Made in Italy, « It allows us to have people who not only live longer but above all who live in better conditions.”
Minister, only 5% of Italians follow the Mediterranean diet. Does it worry you?
«It is a paradox even to think that the Mediterranean diet – which I define as “Italian” – is praised by the entire scientific world and then, precisely where it was born and especially among the younger generations, it is little followed. I therefore believe it is important to commit ourselves to making younger people understand what correct lifestyles and nutrition are.”
Moreover, according to Ministry data, strict adherence to the diet is associated with an overall reduction in mortality of almost 10%.
«On a scientific level there is no doubt about how the Mediterranean diet has a huge effect in terms of prevention for widespread pathologies such as diabetes or cardiovascular diseases, i.e. those which represent the leading cause of death in Italy. But it also helps prevent neurological diseases. It seems clear to me that this is a good practice to teach in schools. Because it sees its diffusion increase as much as possible, it allows us to have people who not only live longer but who live in better conditions.”
Today (yesterday ed.) it launched a guide with indications for following the principles of the Mediterranean diet. Do you have any advice?
«The Mediterranean diet is rather simple to follow because it does not have major caloric restrictions but is rich in genuine and local products, and what’s more it allows you to eat a variety of foods produced in Italy, therefore of high quality, favoring our supply chain. Just prefer the consumption of foods of plant origin, consume 2 portions of fruit and 3 vegetables a day, reduce the consumption of foods rich in simple sugars or sugary drinks, reduce highly processed or pre-packaged foods and consume less than 5 g of salt. If you do this, combined with adequate physical activity, the results can be seen.”
And an easy tip to follow at the dinner table?
«Prefer the consumption of seasonal products because they are richer in beneficial elements, and prefer local products. We have many, I am thinking in particular of extra virgin olive oil which has antioxidant qualities and how it allows us to avoid chronic inflammation of the tissues which are then responsible for many pathologies”.
So how do you do nutrition education?
«We start with the little ones, from first grade, to teach them the correct lifestyles to follow, such as eating habits or physical habits. Precisely for this reason we opened a discussion table with the ministers Valditara, Lollobrigida and Abodi, to bring to school an hour dedicated to education on correct lifestyles, as was the hour of civic education. I believe it is fundamental because it teaches the citizens of tomorrow the concept of prevention. And it is an investment that helps in the broader project of changing the paradigm, because today only 5% of the national health fund is allocated to prevention, and what’s more, some Regions don’t even spend it. We need to change, because investing in prevention also means having a sustainable healthcare system.”
There is an issue that has recently raised some controversy, especially during Vinitaly: wine and its relationship with health.
«Wine is an integral part of the Mediterranean diet but I believe it is important, not only as a Minister but also as a doctor, that I underline how alcoholic excesses must be absolutely avoided. A moderate quantity of wine, however, can produce beneficial effects, as long as it is seen as part of a balanced diet and with the necessary differences in consumption between women and men.”
However, diet is only a prevention factor, and must therefore be combined, for example, with correct health monitoring. Do you know that today 40% of Italians would do more checks with less crowded waiting lists? How will you intervene?
«Of course, they are a long-standing problem for our healthcare but we can no longer allow that when a citizen asks for a service he is told that the waiting list is closed or that we will talk about it again in many months. It is illegitimate and unjust. And therefore we work to ensure that the waiting lists of public and private affiliates are put together, because this way there are more possibilities for citizens. Then, to make the system sustainable, we need to re-evaluate the appropriateness of the tests: often useless ones are requested because doctors are harassed by negligence cases. In 2024 we have extended the criminal shield, but I tell you that we will intervene again. Just as we will intervene in a structural manner to abolish the spending cap on hiring. This constraint has been in place for over 15 years and you will see that we will be able to remove it. In this way the regions will be able to hire more and bring more young people into the world of healthcare work, also impacting on waiting lists.”
Will you use interns more?
«I consider them a fundamental force of the NHS. Indeed, we want them to come in earlier because once they start working at full capacity, they become loyal and are more likely to abandon the roles they end up taking on. I believe it is important to trust him, also to deal with the shortage of doctors that the pension hump will soon impose on us.”
Speaking of a shortage of doctors, there is also the problem of the few family doctors. About 3 thousand missing…
«We will intervene soon to create a specialization similar to other specializations. In this way we will be able to guide younger people towards this career, also accessing higher compensation during specialization.”
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