L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16 2023 www.italoamericano.org 18 L'Italo-Americano T r e n t i n o - A l t o Adige, particularly t h e p r o v i n c e o f B o l z a n o , e m e r g e d a s a n exceptional area, both in Italy and Europe, for its high life expectancy. D a t a f r o m E u r o s t a t revealed that this region is among the European areas w i t h t h e h i g h e s t l i f e expectancy at birth. Notably, T r e n t o h a s r e c o r d e d a n i m p r e s s i v e a v e r a g e l i f e expectancy of 86.7 years for women, the second highest in Europe, only surpassed by the Community of Madrid with an average of 88.2 years. The Autonomous Province of Bolzano also ranks among the top ten European regions for male life expectancy at birth, with an average of 81.8 years; this contrasts signifi- c a n t l y w i t h o t h e r I t a l i a n regions like Sicily and Cam- pania, where life expectancy is comparatively lower. In these regions, the average age for women is 83.3 years, and for men, it's 79.2 and 78.7 years, respectively. Despite these disparities, it should be noted that all Ital- ian regions still surpass the European Union average life expectancy, which is 82.9 years for women and 77.2 years for men. These num- bers reflect Italy's overall high standard of living and healthcare, both of which contribute to longer life spans compared to many other EU member states. The province of Bolzano, Veneto, and the rest of the T r e n t i n o - A l t o A d i g e region are among the Euro- pean areas with high num- bers of nonagenarians, indi- c a t i n g a g r o w i n g e l d e r l y population. Of course, this increase comes with height- ened demands for healthcare services in the North East: there are more than 600,000 individuals over 65 with two or more chronic diseases and about 180,000 elderly who are not self-sufficient, which calls for even more compre- h e n s i v e a n d a c c e s s i b l e healthcare services. In the broader European context, the regions with the highest life expectancy at birth include Madrid (85.4 years), Navarra (84.8 years), a n d t h e F i n n i s h Å l a n d Islands (84.6 years). Other European examples of high life expectancy are, besides o u r T r e n t i n o - A l t o A d i g e , Stockholm, Castile and León, a n d t h r e e o t h e r S p a n i s h regions: Cantabria, Basque Country, and Galicia. Italy's place in this context is significant, as the country ranks third in average life expectancy at birth with 82.7 years, an improvement from 82.3 years in 2020 but still lower than the pre-pandemic figure of 83.6 years in 2019. This data underscores the resilience and advancement o f h e a l t h c a r e s y s t e m s i n Italy, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pan- demic. While exploring the rea- s o n s b e h i n d t h e h i g h l i f e expectancy in Trentino-Alto Adige, it becomes evident that a combination of factors, encompassing everything from the territory to local culture and services, plays a pivotal role; indeed, it is this multifaceted approach to well-being that underlies the region's impressive health statistics. And it isn't just a supposi- tion, data demonstrate it. T r e n t i n o - A l t o A d i g e ' s healthcare system sets the bar for excellence and acces- sibility: the region displays an effective medical infra- structure and a clear commit- m e n t t o t h e c r e a t i o n o f a dense network of healthcare professionals and facilities, ensuring that residents have ready access to medical care everywhere and at all times. But it's not just about treat- ing illnesses: the region's healthcare system places a significant emphasis on pre- v e n t i v e c a r e a n d p u b l i c health, focusing on keeping the population healthy in the first place. T h i s c o m m i t m e n t t o healthcare quality was recog- nized in 2022 when Trentino Alto-Adige ranked first in Italy for healthcare sys- tem quality, according to a report by the Italian Insti- tute for Quality of Life (IQUVI). This result distinc- tively reflects the region's dedication to maintaining high standards in medical services. Yet, the longevity seen in Trentino-Alto Adige cannot a n d s h o u l d n o t s o l e l y b e a t t r i b u t e d t o t o p - n o t c h healthcare. The high stan- dards of living, marked by its s t a t u s a s o n e o f I t a l y ' s wealthiest regions, also con- tribute significantly: eco- nomic stability is paired with low unemployment r a t e s a n d h i g h - q u a l i t y education, factors that col- lectively enhance the resi- dents' overall well-being. Moreover, the region's nat- ural beauty and rich cul- tural heritage add to the quality of life, providing resi- dents with an environment that supports both physical and mental health. Lifestyle choices among the residents also play a key role. The local diet, which favors fresh and nutritious ingredients, regular physical activity, and a lower rate of smoking compared to other Italian regions, all contribute to the Trentino-Alto Adige's health profile. In addition, the strong sense of com- munity and social cohesion typical of the region — and all A l p i n e a r e a s — c e r t a i n l y enhances the creation and maintenance of strong sup- p o r t n e t w o r k s , e s s e n t i a l especially for good mental health. And then, we cannot forget Trentino-Alto Adige's mountains and lush nature, clean air and pristine water, all factors that encourage many to live more healthily. It seems clear that Trenti- no-Alto Adige overall health is not a mere coincidence, rather, it's the result of a series of elements, ranging from a well-structured, capil- lary healthcare network to economic stability, all the way to a culture that fosters healthy living and strong community bonds. Comfort- ably protected by its moun- tains, and reinvigorated by its c l e a n a i r , T r e n t i n o - A l t o Adige offers both a blueprint for longevity and a holistic approach to life that balances modern healthcare with tra- ditional values and environ- mental harmony. In an age where the pursuit of health is often complex and challeng- ing, this region shows us the true potential of an integrat- ed approach to well-being and health, where efficiency, e d u c a t i o n , n a t u r e , a n d a strong sense of community can truly bring us closer to live to 100. The Alpine Secret: how Trentino-Alto Adige leads Europe in life expectancy FRANCESCA BEZZONE An elderly man takes a walk in the mountains. Lifestyle choices are one of the reasons why people in Trentino-Alto Adige have a high life expectancy (Photo: Enzodebe/Dreamstime) LIFE PEOPLE REVIEWS ADVICE TRADITIONS

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