Alliance

Schillaci: Communication as a lever of government to protect health, more trust in the SSN

Ministry and health authorities together to support prevention and guarantee citizens correct, evidence-based information

by Health Review

20 April 2026

ORAZIO SCHILLACI, MINISTRO DELLA SALUTE 7146

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Key points

Schillaci: without trust the system is not sustainable
Building an integrated system

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Health communication as a tool for protecting public health, strengthening citizens' confidence and combating disinformation. These are the objectives of the Alliance for Health Communication, the technical operational meeting held with the companies of the National Health Service, promoted by the Directorate General for Communication of the Ministry of Health.

Schillaci: without trust the system is not sustainable

"We have strengthened the funding of the National Health Service and invested in innovation, but without trust the system is not sustainable. Health communication,' said the Minister of Health, Orazio Schillaci, opening the proceedings, 'is an integral part of public policy: it guides behaviour, supports prevention, and guarantees citizens correct and evidence-based information'.

The initiative represents the second step of a path started with the medical-scientific societies and aimed at building a shared national health communication strategy.

At the centre of the discussion was the role of communication as a lever for governing the health system, capable of guiding behaviour, supporting prevention and improving access to services.

The meeting was addressed by the Undersecretary for Health, Marcello Gemmato, who said that 'communication is a strategic asset: it strengthens trust, improves access to services, and contributes to the sustainability of the National Health Service. This is why it is essential to build a stable alliance between the ministry, territories, and healthcare companies'.

Constructing an integrated system

'Communication is a health protection tool,' said Giovanni Migliore, Director General for Communication at the Ministry of Health. 'The objective is to build an integrated system in which companies, as the first presidium in the territories, implement effective and evidence-based communication.

During the meeting, the public health priorities were shared and an operational path was launched, which envisages the involvement of local authorities in national campaigns, the activation of technical units on prevention, appropriateness and waiting lists, as well as shared tools (guidelines and toolkits) to ensure consistency between the national and territorial levels.

The next appointment of the Alliance for Health Communication is set for 28 April, with a meeting dedicated to the Health Departments of the Regions and Autonomous Provinces, to strengthen institutional coordination and consolidate a national health communication network.