PASSI d’Argento (Silver Steps):the main features of the new nationwidesurveillance system for the ageing Italianpopulation, Italy 2013-2014

摘要

Background. Italy is particularly concerned by population ageing. The costs for societyare substantial. In this context a national, representative surveillance system, PassiD’Argento (PDA), was implemented in 2009 to monitor “active aging” and health statusin people aged over 64 and to develop preventive health programs to reduce frailty.Methods/Design. PDA recruited a representative sample of 24 129 individuals (March2012-January 2013) aged over 64 who were interviewed by trained staff using a standardizedquestionnaire. The PDA collects information about participation in societyand employment, independent living, health conditions, safety and living environment.Indicator values are used to obtain population health profiles and to compare differentLHUs’ profiles within the same region or between different regions.Discussion. The PDA surveillance system proved to be feasible and to be a powerful andinnovative local and national tool for monitoring health status, frailty in Italy’s elderlypopulation and the essential levels of care currently provided to the elderly.