HUMANITARIAN HEALTH IN ITALY: PRINCIPLES, TOOLS, PRACTICES
The course aims to strengthen theoretical and practical skills in humanitarian health specifically in the Italian context. In Italy, in fact, we are witnessing – still today – phenomena of health inequality that particularly affect the most vulnerable and socially marginalized people. Through an integrated approach, the course aims to provide tools for recognising situations of vulnerability, understanding the social determinants of health, knowing and analysing the organisation and structure of local health systems, orienting and facilitating access to health and social services, strengthening advocacy skills in daily practice, recognising more or less direct forms of health discrimination, as well as promoting an intercultural and non-discriminatory approach. Part of the course will also be devoted to developing skills in health case-management and humanitarian health intervention design. The course is designed for health and non-health care figures (low to medium degree of experience and knowledge) who want to learn more about aspects of humanitarian health in the Italian context. The course will be held ONLINE. THE COURSE WILL BE HELD IN ITALIAN.
Three good reasons to enroll in this course:
- Strengthen the ability to recognise situations of social and health vulnerability and understand the factors that fuel health inequalities in Italy.
- Acquire practical tools to learn about and navigate the Italian health care system, do daily advocacy, promote access to health, and respond consciously and effectively to inequalities, both overt and more subtle.
- Develop skills to design and implement humanitarian health interventions targeting vulnerable and marginalized people with an intercultural, inclusive and multidisciplinary approach.
free webinar
Save the date! On January 15, at 6:00 p.m., join us for a free webinar where we will present the course. Participate to find out all the details about the course topics and receive all the information you need so you don’t miss this opportunity!
Course schedule
TIMING: 10:00 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M.
MODULE 1: HUMANITARIAN HEALTH: HISTORY PILLS
Objectives: The session traces the main events and dynamics that have marked the evolution of humanitarian health globally and in Italy. Understanding this context helps to better interpret current challenges and the causes of health inequalities. The goal is to offer tools to develop more effective approaches suited to today’s needs, both in emergencies and in situations of structural vulnerability
MODULE 2: RECOGNISING VULNERABILITY: HEALTH PROFILES, BARRIERS, DISQUALANCES
Objectives: The session illustrates the health conditions and risk factors of vulnerable groups, linking them to the social determinants of health. Delves into the barriers to accessing health services and the complex system of inequalities that result.
MODULE 3: NAVIGATING IN THE ITALIAN HEALTH SYSTEM: KNOWING, MAPPING AND STARTING A DIALOGUE WITH HEALTH SERVICES
Objectives: The session analyses the organisation of the National Health Service at the national and local levels, delving into structure, responsibilities and territorial contexts. Knowing the system enables professionals to better navigate the system, facilitate dialogue among actors, and strengthen advocacy and change.
TIMING: 9:00 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M.
MODULE 1: HEALTH BUROCRACY FOR FOREIGN PEOPLE
Objectives: The session provides a clear and up-to-date overview of the rules and procedures governing access to health services for foreign persons in Italy, with a focus on the role of legal and administrative status in facilitating or limiting such access.
MODULE 2: TRANSCULTURALITY AND HEALTH: THE EXAMPLE OF ETHNOPSYCHIATRY AND CULTURAL MEDIATION
Objectives: The session offers tools to critically analyze transculturality in health care, with a focus on challenges and opportunities in the health care relationship. Effective models and the experience of Intersos, particularly on ethnopsychiatry and cultural mediation, will be presented.
MODULE 3: CASE MANAGEMENT IN THE SOCIO-HEALTH SECTOR
Objectives: The session provides tools for managing complex cases in the health care setting, promoting an integrated, multidisciplinary approach. Through best practices, participants will develop skills to facilitate linkages to services, dialogue between institutions and the third sector, and the building of shared support networks.
MODULE 4: IMPLEMENTING HEALTH ACTIVITIES IN COMPLEX CONTEXTS: FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE
Objectives: This session introduces basic knowledge to prepare participants for practical simulation activities, delving into the design, organization and monitoring of humanitarian health interventions for vulnerable populations in Italy.
TIMING: 10:00 A.M. TO 2:00 P.M.
MODULE 1: SIMULATION AND ROLE PLAY
The session will include a practical exercise with simulations and role play to apply the skills learned. Participants will face realistic situations, discussing approaches and critical issues in managing humanitarian health interventions for vulnerable populations.
Trainer: Beatrice Sgorbissa
Beatrice Sgorbissa currently holds the position of Medical Coordinator of the INTERSOS Italy Mission. Graduated in Medicine in 2018 and Specialized in Hygiene and Public Health in 2025, she has experience in humanitarian health, health of migration and vulnerable populations, and health cooperation. In addition to his field experience in Italy (Southern Italy with INTERSOS, Northern Italy through other experiences), his areas of expertise include health management, prevention and health promotion, epidemiology, implementation research, health strategy development, and implementation of humanitarian health projects.
Trainer: Beatrice Sgorbissa
Beatrice Sgorbissa currently holds the position of Medical Coordinator of the INTERSOS Italy Mission. Graduated in Medicine in 2018 and Specialized in Hygiene and Public Health in 2025, she has experience in humanitarian health, health of migration and vulnerable populations, and health cooperation. In addition to his field experience in Italy (Southern Italy with INTERSOS, Northern Italy through other experiences), his areas of expertise include health management, prevention and health promotion, epidemiology, implementation research, health strategy development, and implementation of humanitarian health projects.
HUMANITARIAN HEALTH: PRINCIPLES, TOOLS, PRACTICES
Registration for the course will give you access to 3 in-person lectures, video recordings of lectures, as well as exercises and simulations.