The Erice Charter on public health management of disasters. Conclusions of the 64th Course of the International School of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine “G. D’Alessandro”

The Erice Charter on public health management of disasters. Conclusions of the 64th Course of the International School of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine “G. D’Alessandro”

Authors

  • Leila Fabiani University of L’Aquila, Italy
  • Antonio Mistretta University of Catania, Italy
  • Gaetano Maria Fara Sapienza University of Rome. Italy
  • Giuseppe Giammanco G. Garibaldi Hospital, Catania, Italy
  • Carlo Signorelli University Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Italy
  • Moyses Szklo Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA
  • Francesco Vitale University of Palermo, Italy
  • Camilla Lombardo University of L’Aquila, Italy
  • Francesco Barone Adesi University of Eastern Piedmont, Italy
  • Alessandro Belpiede Italian Society of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine (SIIAM)
  • Luigi Bertinato WHO European Office for Investment for Health and Development
  • Raffaele Bove CeRVEnE – Regional Veterinary Reference Center for Non-Epidemic Emergencies, Italy
  • Paolo Calistri “G. Caporale” Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Abruzzo and Molise, Teramo, Italy
  • Alessandra Casuccio University of Palermo, Italy
  • Claudio Costantino University of Palermo, Italy
  • Giordano D'Aloisio University of L’Aquila, Italy
  • Gianmarco De Felice Roma Tre University, Italy
  • Donato Di Ludovico University of L’Aquila, Italy
  • Margherita Ferrante University of Catania, Italy
  • Stefano Greco Local Health Authority Teramo, Italy
  • Pasquale Lelio Iapadre HPC4DR Consortium (High-Performance Computing for Disaster Resilience), Italy
  • Marco Leonardi Department of Civil Protection, Health Resources Service, Italy
  • Andrea Malizia Roma Tor Vergata University, Italy
  • Franco Marinangeli University of L’Aquila, Italy
  • Carola Martino Italian Association for Disaster Medicine, Pisa, Italy
  • Mario Muselli University of L’Aquila, Italy
  • Elisabetta Pierini European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Sweden
  • Fabrizio Ernesto Pregliasco University of Milan, Italy
  • Silvio Tafuri University of Bari, Italy
  • Elio Tolli Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy
  • Martina Valente University of Eastern Piedmont, Italy
  • The 64th Course Participants Italian Universities

Keywords:

Disaster preparedness, Public health systems, Emergency management, Risk assessment, Health system resilience, One health approach

Abstract

The growing frequency and severity of disasters in today’s epidemiological landscape place considerable strain on public health systems, highlighting the need to strengthen prevention, preparedness, and response capacities at a structural level. Evidence demonstrates that effective emergency management relies not only on technical expertise but also on coordinated governance, interdisciplinary integration, and strong institutional frameworks. Disasters exacerbate social inequalities, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, and underline the importance of inclusive and equitable health strategies. This paper introduces the framework of the Erice Charter 2025, which aims to enhance national capacities to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and monitor public health emergencies. Particular emphasis is placed on mass gathering risk assessment, integrated planning, and the management of population flows, including individuals with special needs. The Charter promotes a systemic approach grounded in interinstitutional collaboration, the One Health perspective, and the development of shared technical language and interoperable monitoring systems. Key priorities include strengthening professional training, improving emergency communication, and establishing standardized protocols based on comparable indicators. The creation of a permanent national observatory is proposed to address current gaps in long-term health impact assessment, enabling continuous monitoring and evidence-based policy development. Furthermore, the document underscores the importance of data transparency, coordinated information systems, and the active involvement of scientific societies and the third sector. Human resources management, operational planning, and simulation exercises are identified as essential components to ensure effective and timely responses. Prevention Departments and public health professionals are recognized as central actors in coordinating interventions and translating scientific evidence into practice. In conclusion, the Erice Charter 2025 advocates for a paradigm shift in public health, where prevention and preparedness become structural pillars. By fostering resilience, integration, and continuous improvement, the proposed framework aims to strengthen health systems’ capacity to mitigate disaster impacts and protect population health in both the short and long term.

Author Biography

The 64th Course Participants, Italian Universities

M. L. Abruzzese, University of Bari; S. Baldacci, University of Bari; A. Battaglia, Local Health Authority Ragusa; S. Battaglia, University of Bari; R. Bove, University of Foggia; G. F. Brafa Misicoro, Local Health Authority Ragusa; G. Branciforte, University of Catania; Y. Capozzo, University of Bari; E. D. Carnevali, University of Perugia; F. Contorno, University of Palermo; V. Crivello, University of Palermo; G. Cucè, University of Messina; D. D’Alessandro, University of Genova; F. Fiorito, University of Catania; L. Frati, University of Parma; M. Fusari, University of L’Aquila; S. Giurdanella, University of Catania; S. Gronseth, University of Cagliari; of Rome; D. Davì, University of Palermo; M. Di Matteo, University of L’Aquila; O. Ferrante, A. Guarcello, University of Palermo; A. Laganà, University of Messina; E. Langer, Tor Vergata University of Rome; G. Lauria, Local Health Authority Trapani; A. Lorenzon, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia; S. Loschi, Tor Vergata University of Rome; I. Magrì, University of Bari; G. Mangano, University of Catania; R. Mazzoli, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia; V. Nicosia, University of Catania; C. Noviello, University of Bari; I. Nuvolari Duodo, Polytechnic University of Milan; A. Palmeri, Local Health Authority Trapani; E. Pettini, University of Udine; A. Polsinelli, University of L’Aquila; G. Puglisi, University of Catania; A. Salzo, University of Molise; L. A. Saporito, University of Catania; L. Scaringella, University of Bari; I. Schenone, University of Genova; M. Scelfo, University of Palermo; S. Taroni, University of Parma; C. Vecchio, University of Catania.

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Published

2026-10-15

Issue

Vol. 38 No. 1 (2026)

Section

Commentary

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Leila Fabiani, Antonio Mistretta, Gaetano Maria Fara, Giuseppe Giammanco, Carlo Signorelli, Moyses Szklo, Francesco Vitale, Camilla Lombardo, Francesco Barone Adesi, Alessandro Belpiede, Luigi Bertinato, Raffaele Bove, Paolo Calistri, Alessandra Casuccio, Claudio Costantino, Giordano D'Aloisio, Gianmarco De Felice, Donato Di Ludovico, Margherita Ferrante, Stefano Greco, Pasquale Lelio Iapadre, Marco Leonardi, Andrea Malizia, Franco Marinangeli, Carola Martino, Mario Muselli, Elisabetta Pierini, Fabrizio Ernesto Pregliasco, Silvio Tafuri, Elio Tolli, Martina Valente, The 64th Course Participants (Author)

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How to Cite

1.
Fabiani L, Mistretta A, Fara GM, et al. The Erice Charter on public health management of disasters. Conclusions of the 64th Course of the International School of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine “G. D’Alessandro.” Ann Ig. 2026;38(1):19384. doi:10.7416/ai.2026.19384