Eight Central European Countries [1] have launched the project Decade of Roma Inclusion in Sofia (Bulgaria) on 2 February 2005.
The project is sponsored by the Open Society Institute and the World Bank, and it is also supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Commission.
Running from 2005 up to 2015, it aims at improving social inclusion and economic status of Roma people. Health condition is on top of the agenda.
Roma Health Data
More than seven million Roma live in Europe, with nearly 5 million in the new EU member states. In most countries their communities are marginalised and excluded.
According to the European Commission report entitled "The Situation of Roma in an Enlarged EU", the treatment of Roma, Gypsies and Travelers "has become one of the most pressing political, social and human rights issues facing Europe".
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.
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.
Health as priority issue for the Decade of Inclusion
Each country participating in the project, will set a limited number of measurable national goals for improvements in four priority areas including health, education, housing and employment.
Regarding health issues, the project wants to achieve results in:
Ensuring access to health care, facilitating inclusion of Roma into health insurance systems, public information campaigns for vulnerable groups and amendments to legislation;
Increasing the information base on Roma health. In addition other activities should improve the knowledge on access to health institutions and preventive health care among Roma communities or to promote intercultural education among all categories of medical personnel;
Raising the inclusiveness of health systems. A common focus is expanding access to health care by breaking down barriers between Roma communities and health providers. Measures include affirmative approaches and increased opportunities for Roma to become health care providers;
Improving health in vulnerable sub-communities among the Roma communities, in particular women and children.
Read also "Preparing steps of the Decade of Roma Inclusion on EPHA’s website.
