The Health and Society research line brings together the various expertises within the Institute that address the theme of health, understood as a complete state of physical, mental, and social well-being.

The topics covered are:

· Epidemiological analysis of the impact of cancer in industrialized countries, with particular reference to changes in risk factors, diagnostic procedures, surgical and pharmaceutical treatments, and population aging;

· Study of the relationship between nutrition and chronic-degenerative disabling diseases, for the definition of a dietary model more suitable for maintaining good health, in particular for the implementation of a healthy lifestyle in the workplace;

· Application of the narrative medicine approach, a clinical-care intervention methodology based on specific communicative competence, in order to identify a model oriented towards waste reduction, the consolidation of the doctor-patient relationship, and the coordination of internal processes within facilities;

· Sociological studies of life practices that determine the state of well-being of the citizen, focusing on people's living conditions and health determinants. Part of the studies are focused on prevention policies within the management of local area plans;

· Analysis, design, and development of information systems in the clinical field with particular reference to: business process modeling, development of conceptual models based on clinical data standards, evaluation of the quality of care and health services also through the secondary use of clinical data.

The activity utilizes both quantitative methodologies (statistical methods) and established qualitative ones (ethnographic observation techniques, textual analysis, focus groups, validated questionnaires), or those developed ad-hoc for solving specific problems. Furthermore, the main methodologies for modeling both dynamic and process aspects and static and database model description aspects are used, such as the Unified Modeling Language (UML) and the Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN).