Recent developments in occupational health policy in Italy.

On two occasions in the past, Italy has been in a leading position regarding occupational health: in 1700, thanks to work carried out by Dr. B. Ramazzini, and at the beginning of this century, with the founding of the first "Clinica del Lavoro" in Milan. Experience with and considerations of the interaction between the workplace, society as a whole, and the various institutions in the field of occupational health have played an important role in the general political discussion since the 1960s. In this article, we describe the effects of the workers' model of inquiry into health hazards on work organization, the National Health Service, workers' health conditions, and the scientific milieu. We also provide an analysis of present conditions and difficulties, particularly with regard to environmental problems and perspectives.