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Is the recent measles outbreak in Italy linked to healthcare budget reductions?

An Italian study examined whether falling MMR vaccination rates and the recent measles outbreak are linked to healthcare budget reductions.

Measles is an extremely contagious viral illness that causes high fever, sore throat, runny nose, and rash. In some cases, there can be serious health complications such as pneumonia or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) that can lead to permanent disabilities or death.

The MMR vaccine is very effective in preventing measles. Current public health advice is that children should receive the first dose of MMR vaccine between 12-15 months old, and a second dose between 4-6 years old. A vaccination rate of around 95% of the population provides “herd immunity”. This prevents measles outbreaks in vulnerable unimmunised individuals.

Increase in measles observed in deprived areas of Italy

In recent years MMR vaccination rates have been falling in several countries, leading to measles outbreaks. Anti-vaccination lobby groups promoting unproven claims that the MMR vaccine is unsafe or linked to autism are often blamed for this decline. However, in Italy, it was noted that whilst anti-vaccination attitudes are more frequent in affluent regions, the increase in measles was seen in more deprived areas, so other factors may be involved.

Reduced healthcare budgets that have an impact on health prevention programs may be a contributing factor. Researchers at Bocconi University, Milan, Italy examined whether the falling MMR vaccination rates and recent measles outbreak in the country could be linked to healthcare budget reductions. They recently published their findings in the European Journal of Public Health.

The researchers reviewed the Italian National Institute of Health data for the MMR coverage rates at 24 months of age (looking at the first MMR vaccine dose only) for 19 Italian regions in the period of 2000-2014. They also collected data on the per-capita annual public health expenditure in these regions for the same period, adjusted for inflation.

Each 1% reduction in healthcare expenditure was associated with a 0.5% decrease in MMR coverage

The researchers observed a rising trend in public health expenditure of on average around 3.5% per year up to 2009. This trend reversed and dropped by about 2% between 2010 -2014. There were regional variations, the greatest expenditure reductions were seen in the more deprived Southern regions, with some experiencing spending reductions of over 10%.

MMR coverage slowly rose from around 74% population coverage in 2000 to a peak of around 90% in 2012. However, MMR coverage levels then fell to around 85% by 2014. Regional variations in coverage were observed. In Lazio, public health spending fell by 5% while MMR coverage fell by over 3%. However, in Sardinia, although historically a deprived area, public health spending rose slightly and MMR coverage remained steady. Using statistical modelling, the researchers estimated that each 1% reduction in per-capita public health expenditure was associated with a decrease of 0.5 percentage points in MMR coverage.

The researchers concluded that a reduction in public health spending is linked to falling MMR vaccination rates which in turn led to the recent measles outbreak. The Italian government is attempting to reverse this trend by increasing healthcare budgets and introducing compulsory vaccination for Italian children. These policies may help to increase MMR coverage and improve measles prevention.

Written by Julie McShane, Medical Writer

References:

  1. Toffolutti V, McKee M, Melegaro A, et al. Austerity, measles and mandatory vaccination: cross-regional analysis of vaccination in Italy 2000-14. European Journal of Public Health DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/cky178.
  2. EurekAlert. Healthcare cuts “strongly linked” to the resurgence of measles. 12 Sept 2018. https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-09/bu-hc091218.php
Julie Mcshane MA MB BS
Julie Mcshane MA MB BS
Julie studied medicine at the Universities of Cambridge and London, UK. Whilst in medical practice, she developed an interest in medical writing and moved to a career in medical communications. She worked with companies in London and Hong Kong on a wide variety of medical education projects. Originally from Ireland, Julie is now based in Dublin, where she is a freelance medical writer. She enjoys contributing to the Medical News Bulletin to help provide a source of accurate and clear information about the latest developments in medical research.
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