The treatment of Roma, Gypsies and Travellers "has become one of the most pressing political, social and human rights issues facing Europe" according to a new European Commission report entitled "The Situation of Roma in an Enlarged EU".
Examining the conditions Roma, Gypsies and Travellers face in a range of fields, including education, employment, housing and healthcare, the report sets out both good and bad practice in policies and programmes for Roma.
There is limited data of information about the health status of Roma, Gypsies and Travellers communities in west and eastern European countries, but some studies show high rates of tuberculosis, hepatitis A and B, asthma. Poverty and discrimination are linked to trafficking of women and involvement in se-work with associated exposure to HIV. Marginalisation creates vulnerability to addictions such as alcohol and drugs with weak public health structures to address these issues. Vaccination rates among children tend to be lower than among other populations.
Many Roma, Gypsies and Travellers also live in areas with high levels of environmental contaminants which further impacts on the health of families.
The Commission’s report has recommendations on how to improve existing policies in order to tackle the widespread discrimination and social exclusion which Roma, Gypsies and Travellers face are also outlined.
The report concludes that Roma need to be mentioned specifically in EU anti-discrimination and social inclusion programmes and other measures rather than "simply assuming that Roma will be effectively covered by such policies".
More information can be found at a designated page of the Commission.
