Italian regions launch new reproductive health initiatives

Italian regions are implementing new public health initiatives focused on reproductive rights and family planning.

In Puglia, a new law approved in late 2024 will provide financial support for egg freezing for non-medical reasons starting in 2025. The regional government will allocate 300,000 euros annually from 2025 to 2027 to help offset the costs of cryopreservation. To qualify, applicants must be between 27 and 37 years old, have resided in Puglia for at least 12 months, and have a family ISEE value below 30,000 euros. The subsidy can provide up to 3,000 euros per beneficiary, intended as a one-time contribution.

In Bolzano, a pilot project will launch on September 1 to provide free contraception to residents aged 14 to 25, as well as vulnerable individuals. The province has allocated approximately 500,000 euros for the first year of the program. The initiative aims to promote sexual health, provide counseling, and prevent unintended pregnancies. Participants will receive individual consultations and medical evaluations to determine appropriate contraceptive methods and protection against sexually transmitted infections.