Development of the agricultural sector in Italy: Need to harmonize production and health protection

Epidemiological data show excess of respiratory, dermatological, infectious, carcinogenic and musculoskeletal disorders among agricultural workers Nevertheless, the national rates of reported cases do not correspond to the expected epidemiological data. In 2009, 3.914 cases of occupational diseases were reported to the national work compensation Institute (INAIL), as related to 1.200.000 agricultural workers employed in Italy. About 71% of these cases were related to musculoskeletal disorders. This shows a relevant difference between observed and expected cases, even more evident than in other sectors like constructions. More efficient preventive intervention is needed to improve this situation of under-reporting, through the implementation of epidemiological surveillance based on multiple sources of information. These sources should include the periodical health surveillance of active workers, the databank of General Practitioners, the hospital admission charts, and the case-lists of patients admitted to the Institutes of Occupational Health, according to a systematic active search of occupational cases. © PI-ME, Pavia 2010.