Aprile 2010 - Volume XXIX - numero 4
Focus
Dipartimento Socio-Sanitario, ASL Na 1 Centro; Servizio di Programmazione, Centro Studi Interistituzionale, Comune di Napoli/ASL Na 1 Centro
Indirizzo per corrispondenza: dirg.cirillo@aslna1.napoli.it
Key words: Child health, Inequity, Social exclusion, Health determinants, Italy
The second update Report on the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Adolescent analyses the differences across geographical regions with respect to some important health determinants and outcomes in Italy. The Report highlights the marked differences existing in the condition of children living in the South which are due to both distal (poverty and parental educational level) and proximal determinants of health: access to social services such as day care centres is very low in the South, while unhealthy life styles such as poor nutrition and reduced physical activity are more prevalent. These determinants ultimately affect health outcomes such as child mortality rates and obesity prevalence, which are higher in Southern than in Central and Northern Italy, and other social outcomes such as drop out from school, which is unacceptably high in many southern regions. These health and social inequities are concentrated in the poorest population groups, and combine to determine further risk of social exclusion and poor health outcomes in adult age.
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Focus
Associazione per gli Studi Giuridici sull’Immigrazione (ASGI)
Indirizzo per corrispondenza: gianfrancoschiavone@gmail.com
Key words: Child rights, Access to health and social services, Legislation, Irregular migrants
The content and the impact of the recent legislation on internal security on migrant children and particularly on children whose parents are irregular migrants is presented and discussed. Also due to the mobilization of civil society and NGO, little has been formally changed with respect to the right to access health and educational services by migrant children, but the legislation, by introducing the concept of irregular migration as a crime, has created ambiguity and uncertainty among professionals and the population and have led irregular migrant workers and their family members to limit their access to health and social services, because of their fear of being identified. Professionals involved in child health and education should become acquainted with the contents and implications of the new legislation and ensure that the principle of the right of access to health educational and social services, irrespective of the administrative position of the parents, as well as the principle of the superior interest of the child, are applied in all circumstances. Regional legislation can help improve and clarify the contents of national laws.
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Focus
Dipartimento di Medicina ambientale e Sanità pubblica, Sede di Medicina legale, Università di Padova
Indirizzo per corrispondenza: anna.aprile@unipd.it
Key words: Judicial hearings, Children, Divorce, Foster care, Adoption, Violence, Abuse
In Italy, the current legislation regarding the rights of children in judicial processes is still piecemeal and subject to interpretation by the judges. Recently, a legal representative of children in all judicial processes regarding them, such as in case of foster care or adoption, and particularly when there might be conflict of interests between the child and the parent such as in case of divorce, has been introduced. In case of adoption, for example, the child has a direct voice if over 12 years or even at an earlier age if recognized capable to do so. There are still, however, uncertainties and differences across the Courts in the application of the law, and as a consequence children’s rights according to the International Convention of the Rights of the Child cannot yet be considered as fully guaranteed. The same is true for the judicial hearing of children in trials where they are either victims or witnesses, such as in case of domestic violence and abuse. Also, judicial hearings should be carefully evaluated and always accompanied by psychological support in order to avoid any harm to the child. A more comprehensive and coherent legislation should be introduced.
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