Turismo sanitario. Evoluzione storica, determinanti strutturali e geografia della cura

This paper examines medical tourism as a phenomenon deeply rooted in history and now fully integrated into global dynamics. From the therapeutic practices of antiquity to today’s international healthcare networks, continuity emerges in the search for better health solutions. The study analyzes the main factors driving patients to seek treatment abroad: high healthcare costs in national systems, long waiting times, greater accessibility of transportation, and the development of medical technologies. The analysis shows that this mobility is not merely an individual choice, but often a concrete response to difficulties in accessing healthcare services. The Italian case highlights strong territorial inequalities and increasing competition between different regions. The phenomenon therefore appears complex, intertwining economic, healthcare, and social dimensions.