- Data, Statistics and AI for Well-Being of People and Organisations
- A cura di Luigi Fabbris, Alberto Franci, Pietro Renzi
Investigating the determinants of interregional healthcare mobility: Evidence from Apulia
- Angela Maria D'Uggento
- Maria Leone
- © 2026 Author(s) |
- CC BY 4.0
- DOI: 10.36253/979-12-215-1062-1.33
This study analyses the determinants of interregional mobility in healthcare in Italy, with a particular focus on the Puglia region. In a healthcare system based on the constitutional principles of universality, equality and equity (Article 32 of the Italian Constitution), mobility is an important indicator of structural inefficiencies and territorial inequalities in access to healthcare. The study is conducted at two levels: a review of official data showing an economic burden of over 4.2 billion euros from interregional healthcare flows in Italy in 2021, and a survey with a CAWI questionnaire administered to a convenience sample of 500 respondents residing in Puglia. At national level, the main factors influencing patients’ decision to seek treatment outside their home region are long waiting times (31.6%), perceived low quality of services (26.5%), lack of medical specialisation (17.1%), geographical proximity (9.8%) and other reasons (Censis 2023). The link between socioeconomic disadvantage and avoiding or postponing treatment is particularly important. 61.6% of respondents had additional healthcare expenses, and the wealthiest people turned to private hospitals or medical services. On the contrary, 36.9% stated that they sacrificed other expenses in order to afford medical treatment. These results highlight a regressive pattern that disproportionately affects lower income individuals and leads to involuntary mobility in healthcare. In the Apulian sample, cluster analysis (K-Means) combined with principal component analysis (PCA) identified three distinct user groups characterised by different demographic, socioeconomic and health service evaluation profiles. Statistical tests confirmed a significant correlation between these profiles and the likelihood of health-related migration (χ²= 48.86, p < 0.001). The study emphasises the need for targeted health policies aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of healthcare in different regions. Reducing avoidable mobility in healthcare is crucial for an equitable distribution of resources and strengthening the cohesion of the national healthcare system.
- Keywords:
- Healthcare mobility,
- Territorial inequalities,
- Puglia Region,
- Survey,
- Patient choice,
University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy - ORCID: 0000-0001-9768-651X
University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy
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Informazioni sul capitolo
Titolo del capitolo
Investigating the determinants of interregional healthcare mobility: Evidence from Apulia
Autori
Angela Maria D'Uggento, Maria Leone
Lingua
Inglese
DOI
10.36253/979-12-215-1062-1.33
Opera sottoposta a peer review
Anno di pubblicazione
2026
Copyright
© 2026 Author(s)
Licenza d'uso
Licenza dei metadati
Informazioni bibliografiche
Titolo del libro
Data, Statistics and AI for Well-Being of People and Organisations
Curatori
Luigi Fabbris, Alberto Franci, Pietro Renzi
Opera sottoposta a peer review
Numero di pagine
420
Anno di pubblicazione
2026
Copyright
© 2026 Author(s)
Licenza d'uso
Licenza dei metadati
Editore
Firenze University Press
DOI
10.36253/979-12-215-1062-1
ISBN Print
979-12-215-1061-4
eISBN (pdf)
979-12-215-1062-1
eISBN (xml)
979-12-215-1063-8
Collana
Applied Statistics Series