Assessing the link between social capital and health outcomes in the Italian regions: An empirical analysis

Abstract An extensive literature demonstrates a positive relationship between social capital and health. However, empirical analyses within the Italian context remain limited. This study contributes to the existing literature by expanding the empirical evidence on this topic for Italy, employing an ecological approach. Using data from 21 territorial units (19 regions and the autonomous provinces of Trento and Bozen) over the period 2011–2019, the study examines the role of bonding, bridging and overall social capital in shaping both objective health indicators (such as mortality rates, life expectancy and potential years of life not lost) and self‐reported health (specifically life expectancy in good health). The analysis also controls for regional socio‐economic factors and health resources, managed at the regional level in Italy. The findings reveal significant correlations between all dimensions of social capital and health outcomes, pointing out the importance of addressing regional disparities in social capital within health policy.