[Epidemiological study on the health status of residents in Manfredonia (Italy). The beginning of the study told by the citizens].

In Manfredonia (Southern Italy) an epidemiological study on the health status of the residents, based on a new perspective of a research shared by researchers and citizens, has been launched. The design of the study considered the previous history of Manfredonia, whose management of environmental issues produced distrust and suspicion towards institutions; these feelings are still alive in the civil society. In this article the beginning of the study is framed by means of a double narration: from the point of view of the researchers and of the citizens. After two public meetings, a citizen coordination group, a website and a public relation office have been created. During the next meetings, researchers and population will set the objectives of the survey, and the public health implications of different possible scenarios will be discussed.