Being healthy in fuzzy logic: The case of Italy

Abstract

Health is a crucial dimension of individual well being and it is in itself multidimensional and complex. In this paper we tackle this complexity by using fuzzy expert logic that allows us to keep its complexity and at the same time to get crisp indicators that can be used to measure its status. The applied analysis refers to a country, Italy, that shows a high regional variability in health achievements related to the different diffusion and quality of health services across Italy. The source of data used for this purpose is the Italian National Statistical Institute (ISTAT) survey on health conditions. We proceed with a comparison of the results of the application of fuzzy logic to health measurement to a more standard methodology (SF-12) outlining the advantages of using fuzzy logic. The obtained fuzzy measure of health is then analyzed by means of multivariate analysis that confirms regional variability, lower health achievements for women, elderly and lower educated individuals. People in nonstandard working positions (like temporary contract) or unemployed show a lower health achievement too. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013.