Salute disuguale nel reddito minimo. Dinamiche d’impoverimento e percorsi d’inclusione socio-lavorativa

The relationship between health and poverty is a topic that has been the subject of considerable debate, extending beyond the obvious connection between a lack of resources and negative effects on physical and mental well-being (Cardano 2009; Marmot 2010; Mascagni 2010). Poverty is also associated with social exclusion, leading to a general state of disadvantage characterised by incapacity, difficulty, or discrimination in accessing important activities and aspects of social life. This condition of material deprivation and social isolation, especially when prolonged over time, exposes individuals to risks of vulnerability and situations of uncertainty, discomfort, and inadequacy, which have the potential to undermine their physical and mental health. In this context, anti-poverty policies and income support interventions are of crucial importance. Over the past seven years, Italy has made significant strides in its efforts to combat poverty by implementing a national minimum income scheme, marking a notable shift in its approach to anti-poverty policies (Gori 2020). This study examines the "Citizenship Income" (Reddito di Cittadinanza, RdC) approved in 2019 (Decree-Law No. 4 of 28 January 2019), which will be replaced by two other measures starting in 2024. This contribution examines the role of individual and/or family health conditions in the mechanisms of slipping into poverty and how health status affects the possibilities of social and work inclusion, which are two objectives that accompany the monetary component within minimum income schemes. The article is structured into three main sections. The first is dedicated to the theoretical-conceptual framework of the topic, summarising the debate on health and inequalities. The second focuses on the research context and methodological aspects. The third presents the results. A concluding paragraph summarises the emerging issues.