Roma Health Report
Health status of the Roma population
Data collection in the Member States
of the European Union
Executive Summary
Introduction
This study was carried out by Matrix Knowledge in collaboration with the Centre for
the Study of Democracy, the European Public Health Alliance and individual national
researchers on behalf of the Consumers, Health and Food Executive Agency and DG
SANCO. The purpose of this report is to provide an evidence-based review of literature
on Roma health, covering 2008-2013 and the following indicators:
1. Mortality and life expectancy
2. Prevalence of major infectious diseases
3. Healthy life styles and related behaviours
4. Access and use of health services and prevention programmes
5. Prevalence of major chronic diseases
6. Health factors related to the role of women in the Roma community
7. Environmental and other socio-economic factors
The methodology used was based on two steps: (i) Desk Research based on the
review of secondary data (a literature review); and (ii) Fieldwork collecting primary
data through semi-structured interviews.
Background and context
There has long been a consensus that compared with the non-Roma population in
Europe Roma have poorer health. The poor health of Roma is closely linked to social
determinants of health. The social inclusion and integration of Roma communities is a
joint responsibility of Member States and the European Union. The Commission
monitors progress made by Member States through the EU Framework for National
Roma Integration Strategies1
. The EU has been also supporting international network
initiatives e.g. Roma Summits and the Decade of Roma Inclusion (2005-2015). The
Enlargement Countries have been encouraged to shape their strategies to support the
integration of Roma (including health) based on Commission Communication of 2011.
Results for better inclusion of the Roma population have been limited2
. In particular,
issues related to health have been only partly addressed.
The first Commission assessment of the NRIS reported some limitations regarding the
possibility of measuring the potential impacts of the stated objectives3
. There is a
need to establish specific targets, attainable goals within the timeframe set and
measureable deliverables through an effective system of monitoring and evaluation of
the implementation of the national policies4
. The second assessment of the
Commission in June 2013 reiterated Member States need to make stronger efforts to set up sound monitoring and evaluation methods to assess the results and impacts of
Roma inclusion measures, including health, in order to enable policy adjustments
when necessary.
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