Achille Sclavo (1861-1930) and His Innovative Contributions to Italian Preventive Medicine and Healthcare Policy.

Achille Sclavo was a scientist with a multifaceted personality; throughout his life, he steadfastly maintained his commitment to research and teaching, while also gaining precious experience as an educator, politician and entrepreneur. He carried forward these various activities with the aim of bringing relief to a country smitten by epidemic diseases, of spreading the gospel of hygiene, and of creating and training medical and healthcare personnel that would be able to tackle the difficult problem of public health in Italy at the beginning of the twentieth century. In this regard, Achille Sclavo can undoubtedly be considered a precursor of modern public health and preventive medicine.