How to loosen the link between socio-economic weakness and epidemic exposure to Covid-19: A multidisciplinary analysis

The Covid19 pandemic crisis has caused, in addition to the serious effects on the health systems, a sharp slowdown in the Italian and European economy, mainly weighing on the weakest sections of the population with a worrying increase in economic and social inequalities. Using a multidisciplinary approach, this study focuses on the link between socioeconomic fragility and epidemic exposure to Covid19 in Italy and Europe, with a triple objective: to monitor the main dimensions of increased inequalities within the economy and society through an academic literature review; to empirically understand the reasons for national differences in the spread and lethality of the Covid19 virus at European level; to provide, on the basis of the results obtained in pursuing the previous two objectives, a key to understanding the main public policies for a healthier, more inclusive and sustainable Italy and Europe.