Letters
The health of Gypsies
Problem of caring for travellers is British, not just European Governments and Roma communities must help to improve outlook for
GypsiesProblem of caring for travellers is British, not just European
EDITOR In these unofficial caravan sites they live in the squalor and type of
conditions prevailing in this country a couple of centuries ago It is easy to be disapproving about the unwelcome refugees in and
around Dover. As far as our own travellers are concerned, it is a sad
reflection on our society, and perhaps on the BMJ, that
we behave as if nothing needs to be done in this country although it
seems to be agreed that much needs to be done across the channel.
Governments and Roma communities must help to improve outlook for
Gypsies
EDITOR In 1996 we performed sociological research in various parts of Slovakia
by a Gallup method. The table summarises some data from a
representative sample of 1016 men aged 25-55 living in the multiethnic
district of Levice on the border with Hungary (about 65% Slovaks, 30%
Hungarians, and 5% Gypsies). The data are similar for both Slovaks and
Hungarians and very different for Roma men: the Roma minority had an
extremely high consumption of cigarettes, beer, and spirits; low
consumption of milk, fruit, and vegetables; a lower cultural level; a
higher prevalence of sleep disorders; a lower health status; and a high
birth rate.
Although Roma people continue to exist on the margins of society
and their life expectancy is low, the number of Gypsies in Slovakia
increased by 1-2 % a year between 1991 and 1996.3 The
reason for the high reproductive activity in Roma people is an economic
one Prevention of this pessimistic scenario is not in the hands of health
policymakers and medical researchers. Extensive educational programmes,
control of the birth rate, new economic chances, and a change of
lifestyle are the best that east European governments and Roma
communities themselves could do for the health needs and the future of
Roma people.
The editorial by McKee1 on Gypsies, or
Romas, was an interesting factual account of their origins as well as
of the disadvantages and oppression they face as a minority group in
continental Europe. Yet it is remarkable in that there is no mention of
the disadvantages and oppression endured by the same minority community
in the United Kingdomfrom the Romas of folklore in the south of
England to the tinkers of Scotland and to the New Age wanderers who
seem to seek the romantic image without the responsibilities. Now they
travel in trucks towing large caravans; when parked they
are usually seen in lay-bys or on waste ground with lots of dogs,
children, and rubbish.
no
clean or adequate water supply, no sewage disposal system, no rubbish
collection, and certainly totally inadequate education, immunisation,
and medical attention. The reaction is often to "get rid of them,"
preferably by moving them on to some rundown housing estate in the next
town but one. Local authorities have a duty to provide proper sites for
travelling people, although this is too often frustrated by the "not
in my back yard" ("nimby") attitude and an inability of local
authorities to attempt to work with the Gypsy culture by cooperating
with their lifestyle.
Ladykirk, Norham, Berwick upon Tweed TD15 1XL
In his editorial on the health of Gypsiesan important minority
in central and eastern EuropeMcKee states that "health policymakers
and researchers have paid little attention to the health needs of Roma
people."1 This is not true. The communist regime in the
former Czechoslovakia spent considerable sums to improve the economic,
health, and housing situation of the "proletarian" Roma population.
Infant mortality of Gypsies decreased considerably and the number of
Gypsies living in Slovakia more than trebled from the end of the second
world war to 1990.2 Health care as well as the educational
system in Slovakia was free and equally available to all Slovaks,
Hungarians, and Gypsies. After the change from a socialist economy to a
free market economy, unemployment among the Roma minority rapidly
increased. The main reason was not racism but the low educational level
and low working activity of Gypsies.
regular financial support from state sources for each child. If
this trend does not change, the Roma minority in 2010 will form about a
fifth of the young and middle aged population in Slovakia. Most Gypsies
will have only elementary education and will be unemployed, chronically
ill, and dependent on financial support from the state. A huge increase
in crime could be expected, and the final result could well be an
increase in racist attacks, ethnic conflicts, and an exodus of Gypsies
to the "rich" West.
Institute of Preventive and Clinical Medicine, 83301 Bratislava, Slovakia
© BMJ 1998
Related Article
- The health of gypsies
- Martin McKee
BMJ 1997 315: 1172-1173.[Extract] [Full Text]
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