Description of the situation
Roma people present the ‘alarming indicators of health’. This situation is a consequence of the political context nowadays, the stereotypes of which they are victims in the country where they live, and the precarious living conditions (environmental factors, unhealthy accommodation conditions, unhealthy food). Nowadays, in France, very few Roma persons hold an updated health book and don’t get vaccinated.
Consequently, a very high risk of epidemic diseases is noticed, such as tuberculosis, intestinal parasites (25%), respiratory infections (35%), etc. In order to fight against these epidemics, in 2009 a vaccination campaign was led, but according to the Medicins du Monde estimations, just 42% of Roma people in France have been covered.
http://www.la-croix.com/Actualite/France/La-sante-des-enfants-pauvres-se-degrade-_NG_-2012-10-16-865102
According to some researches, the mortality of Roma people is eight times higher than that of the French people.
Roma people are also often the target of a lot of discriminations and xenophobia which cause psychological problems or depression.
In order to improve the access to the health’s services, the network Romeurope started to work on the promotion of the existing measures for children and women. According to the Medecins du monde, the Roma women become pregnant for the first time, on average, at 17 years of age, and just 10% use a contraception method.
The instability and multiple expulsions from living places complicate the access to Sanitary and health services. Moreover, every change of settlement breaks the medical monitoring. The entry into the European Union for some Roma meant an end of the protection of the French right of residence for medical reasons.
The NGOs, as well as Amnesty International, find guilty the legislative framework which discriminates Roma people and prevent them from using the health services.
In conclusion, the living conditions of Roma people, the discriminations of which they are victims, and also the lack of knowledge regarding the health services cause the fact that the health of the Roma is an important issue with very few solutions. Even if the NGO tries to raise awareness about Roma health, few projects are developed.
References:
EL GHOZI L, GABARRO C, MEZARD M, MORIAU B, CORTY JF, 2010, Forum Synthesis: health of Roma in France: a sanitary emergency ? [online], France, Médecins du Monde, Available at: http://www.medecinsdumonde.org/Publications/Actes-des-colloques-et-forum/La-sante-des-Roms-en-France-une-urgence-sanitaire
Amnesty International, 2013, Condamnés à l'errance, les expulsions forcées de Roms en France [online], France, [2013], Amnesty International, available at: http://www.amnesty.fr/sites/default/files/Rapport_Expulsions_forc%C3%A9es_de_roms_en_France_260913.pdf
Romeurope, 2008, 2007 - 2008 Report, France, Romeurope, 2008, 118p