Voices from Pescarola

Pescarola is a suburban area of Bologna (Italy).

The area hosts a predominantly low-income population, with high prevalence of social housing. The native population is mainly represented by high age groups, while in recent years the percentage of newly settled migrants has significantly increased (reaching ⅓ of social housing residents). For different reasons, these groups suffer from conditions of marginalisation and vulnerability, that impact on health and access to public services. For a few years, as a “mixed group” composed by residents of Pescarola and non-resident social activists of the Centre for International and Intercultural Health (CSI), we have been engaged in promoting health in the neighbourhood.

We will make our voice heard on how COVID-19 and policy responses have impacted on health and life in Pescarola, and to denounce the different levels of discrimination and the daily struggle against isolation, racism and sense of abandonment. In particular, Pescarola Voices will explore three areas of inquiry: social and health care, education, housing and neighbourhood relations.