Quality of Life in Italy. Research and Reflections

This book represents the output of that conference, organized in Florence by the Italian Association for Quality-of-Life Studies (AIQUAV) in September 2010. At the same time, the book makes an interesting analysis of well-being and quality-of-life topics, paying attention to speci fi c group of populations and themes. In particular, it focuses on some classical quality-of-life concerns: health problems, economic unbalances, employment, democracy and public knowledge, participation. It is very useful not only for scholars but also for users, practitioners, public administrators dealing with quality-of-life issues at different level. The book is interesting in particular for Italian readers having chapters specifically devoted to the Italian experiences. Some other articles regard the European countries and make possible some comparative analysis. The chapters could be also very useful in order to address economic, social and health policies oriented to improve living conditions, some others to identify a general framework to look at in order to increase democratic and participative processes in the contemporary society. As a matter of fact, quality of life is a multidimensional concept including all these dimensions. The book is organized in four parts.