Cent Eur J Public Health 2011, 19(3):139-142 | DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a3661

Health Inequalities of the Roma in Europe: a Literature Review

Nikesh Parekh1, Tamsin Rose2
1 Kings College London School of Medicine, United Kingdom
2 Progress Works, Brussels, Belgium

The Roma are the most populous marginalised community in Europe and have some of the greatest health needs. There is a higher prevalence of communicable and non-communicable diseases within the community and significantly shorter life expectancies than national averages. Efforts by governments across Europe to address these health inequalities have been relatively weak and the Roma suffer poorer access to health care, education and employment in every country that they inhabit in comparison to the majority population. As the socioeconomic determinants of health become better understood over the past decade, it is becoming clear that societies with greater inequalities are less healthy overall. It is important for public health across Central and Eastern Europe that the health needs of the Roma are prioritised by governments concerned. We provide a review of the literature on the health inequalities of the Roma community in Europe.

Keywords: Roma people, Roma community, health inequalities, social determinants of health, marginalisation

Received: January 3, 2011; Revised: April 26, 2011; Accepted: April 26, 2011; Published: September 1, 2011  Show citation

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Parekh N, Rose T. Health Inequalities of the Roma in Europe: a Literature Review. Cent Eur J Public Health. 2011;19(3):139-142. doi: 10.21101/cejph.a3661. PubMed PMID: 22026288.
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