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Health needs of the Roma population in the Czech and Slovak Republics

Author

Listed:
  • Koupilová, Ilona
  • Epstein, Helen
  • Holcík, Jan
  • Hajioff, Steve
  • McKee, Martin

Abstract

In the growing literature on the human rights of Roma people in Central Europe, their relatively poor health status is often mentioned. However, little concrete information exists about the contemporary health status of the Roma in this region. We sought information on the health of the Roma in two of countries with significant Roma minorities, the Czech and Slovak Republics, by means of systematic searches for literature on the health of Roma people published in Czech or Slovak or by authors from the two countries. Published research on health of the Roma population is sparse. The topics that have received attention suggest a focus on concepts of contagion or social Darwinism, indicating a greater concern with the health needs of the majority populations with which they live. What limited evidence exists indicates that the health needs of the Roma population are considerable. With very few exceptions, the health status of Roma is worse than that of non-Roma population in both countries. The burden of communicable disease among Roma is high and diseases associated with poor hygiene seem to be particularly important. Evidence on health care suggests poor communication between Roma and health workers and low uptake of preventative care. The health needs of Roma lack visibility, not only because of the absence of research but also the absence of advocacy on their behalf. Since 1989, Czech and Slovak researchers have largely turned away from health research on particular ethnic groups. This probably reflects a growing sensitivity about stigmatising Roma, but it also makes it difficult to know how their circumstances might be improved. There is a need for further research into the health of Roma people with particular emphasis on non-communicable disease and for interventions that would improve their health.

Suggested Citation

  • Koupilová, Ilona & Epstein, Helen & Holcík, Jan & Hajioff, Steve & McKee, Martin, 2001. "Health needs of the Roma population in the Czech and Slovak Republics," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 53(9), pages 1191-1204, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:53:y:2001:i:9:p:1191-1204
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    Cited by:

    1. Zuzana Skodova & Jitse Dijk & Iveta Nagyova & Jaroslav Rosenberger & Daniela Ondusova & Martin Studencan & Sijmen Reijneveld, 2010. "Psychosocial factors of coronary heart disease and quality of life among Roma coronary patients: a study matched by socioeconomic position," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 55(5), pages 373-380, October.
    2. Kolarcik, Peter & Geckova, Andrea Madarasova & Orosova, Olga & van Dijk, Jitse P. & Reijneveld, Sijmen A., 2009. "To what extent does socioeconomic status explain differences in health between Roma and non-Roma adolescents in Slovakia?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(7), pages 1279-1284, April.
    3. Benjamin Cook & Geoffrey Wayne & Anne Valentine & Anna Lessios & Ethan Yeh, 2013. "Revisiting the evidence on health and health care disparities among the Roma: a systematic review 2003–2012," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 58(6), pages 885-911, December.
    4. Gabriel Kolvek & Katarina Rosicova & Jaroslav Rosenberger & Ludmila Podracka & Roy Stewart & Iveta Nagyova & Sijmen Reijneveld & Jitse Dijk, 2012. "End-stage renal disease among Roma and non-Roma: Roma are at risk," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 57(4), pages 751-754, August.
    5. Fésüs, Gabriella & Östlin, Piroska & McKee, Martin & Ádány, Róza, 2012. "Policies to improve the health and well-being of Roma people: The European experience," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 105(1), pages 25-32.
    6. Jelena Brcanski & Aleksandra Jović-Vraneš & Jelena Marinković & Dragana Favre, 2014. "Social determinants of malnutrition among Serbian children aged >5 years: ethnic and regional disparities," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 59(5), pages 697-706, October.
    7. Pavol Jarcuska & Daniela Bobakova & Jan Uhrin & Ladislav Bobak & Ingrid Babinska & Peter Kolarcik & Zuzana Veselska & Andrea Madarasova Geckova, 2013. "Are barriers in accessing health services in the Roma population associated with worse health status among Roma?," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 58(3), pages 427-434, June.
    8. World Bank, 2003. "Averting AIDS Crises in Eastern Europe and Central Asia : A Regional Support Strategy," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 15114.
    9. Richard Filčák & Daniel Škobla, 2021. "Sanitation Infrastructure at the Systemic Edge: Segregated Roma Settlements and Multiple Health Risks in Slovakia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-11, June.
    10. János Sándor & Zsigmond Kósa & Klára Boruzs & Julianna Boros & Ildikó Tokaji & Martin McKee & Róza Ádány, 2017. "The decade of Roma Inclusion: did it make a difference to health and use of health care services?," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 62(7), pages 803-815, September.
    11. Jana Petrikova & Martin Janicko & Jan Fedacko & Sylvia Drazilova & Andrea Madarasova Geckova & Maria Marekova & Daniel Pella & Peter Jarcuska, 2018. "Serum Uric Acid in Roma and Non-Roma—Its Correlation with Metabolic Syndrome and Other Variables," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-15, July.
    12. Lenka Slepickova & Daniela Filakovska Bobakova, 2020. "Conceptualization of Roma in Policy Documents Related to Social Inclusion and Health in the Czech Republic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-18, October.
    13. Branislav Šprocha & Branislav Bleha, 2021. "Mortality, Health Status and Self-Perception of Health in Slovak Roma Communities," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 153(3), pages 1065-1086, February.
    14. Ferenc Vincze & Anett Földvári & Anita Pálinkás & Valéria Sipos & Eszter Anna Janka & Róza Ádány & János Sándor, 2019. "Prevalence of Chronic Diseases and Activity-Limiting Disability among Roma and Non-Roma People: A Cross-Sectional, Census-Based Investigation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-14, September.
    15. Zuzana Dorkova & Zuzana Sopkova & Ruzena Tkacova, 2010. "“CEM” risk factors and severity of obstructive sleep apnoea in central European Roma and non-Roma patients referred for a diagnostic polysomnography," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 55(5), pages 429-434, October.
    16. Martin McKee & Ellen Nolte, 2004. "Health sector reforms in Central and Eastern Europe," Demographic Research Special Collections, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 2(7), pages 163-182.
    17. A. Sudzinova & I. Nagyova & M. Studencan & J. Rosenberger & Z. Skodova & H. Vargova & B. Middel & S. Reijneveld & J. Dijk, 2013. "Roma coronary heart disease patients have more medical risk factors and greater severity of coronary heart disease than non-Roma," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 58(3), pages 409-415, June.
    18. Evelina Pappa & Simela Chatzikonstantinidou & George Chalkiopoulos & Angelos Papadopoulos & Dimitris Niakas, 2015. "Health-Related Quality of Life of the Roma in Greece: The Role of Socio-Economic Characteristics and Housing Conditions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-13, June.
    19. Balázs Ádám & Szabolcs Lovas & Róza Ádány, 2020. "Use of Genomic Information in Health Impact Assessment is Yet to Come: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-13, December.
    20. Tomáš Želinský, 2021. "Intertemporal Choices of Children and Adults from Poor Roma Communities: A Case Study from Slovakia," Eastern European Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 59(4), pages 378-405, July.
    21. Janetta Nestorová Dická, 2021. "Demographic Changes in Slovak Roma Communities in the New Millennium," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-26, March.
    22. Ioanna Petraki & Natasa Kalpourtzi & Agapios Terzidis & Magda Gavana & Apostolos Vantarakis & Georgios Rachiotis & Argiro Karakosta & Vana Sypsa & Giota Touloumi & Hprolipsis Study Group, 2021. "Living in Roma Settlements in Greece: Self-Perceived Health Status, Chronic Diseases and Associated Social Determinants of Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-16, August.

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