Social determinants of health in medical education: insights from final-year students in a multicentre study in Italy

Social determinants of health (SDH) are fundamental to understanding health inequalities. However, the extent of their integration into Italian medical education remains underexplored. A questionnaire based multicenter study was conducted among 30 final-year medical students chosen through purposive sampling from three Italian universities: University of Florence, Humanitas University Milan, and University of Naples. Data were analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Students displayed partial theoretical awareness of SDH but limited applied understanding. Differences across regions reflected institutional approaches. Education, socioeconomic status, and diet were perceived as the most relevant determinants. Findings highlight the need to strengthen SDH teaching in medical curricula to improve future physicians’ capacity to address health inequities.