A new Journal section on Health Systems’ Research: purpose and rationale

In times where health systems’ sustainability is undermined by populations’ ageing, ongoing economic crises, increased burden of chronic diseases, healthcare and new technologies costs, national and international health authorities have underlined the importance of improving the efficiency of health services and investing in prevention activities. (1-4). The 67th World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Europe, held in Budapest, Hungary on 11-14 September 2017 reaffirmed the need for Member States for bolstering their public health policies, capacities and operations (5). Italy is a virtuous case of these principles’ implementation. During 2017 Italy approved new laws, one extending mandatory vaccination to ten key immunization programmes (6) to counteract alarming decreasing coverage rates (79), and one (named “Gelli” in honour of its proponent) on risk management and professional liability of healthcare professionals (8). These laws, together with the new Essential Levels of Assistance (LEA) (10), for different but complimentary reasons, are to be considered milestones for Italian public health