engleski

Reducing health inequality of Roma minority in Croatia

Issue: Estimated 30, 000 - 40, 000 Roma live in Croatia. Their health is significantly worse than average health of population in Croatia. Significant part of Roma population does not have health insurance and does not use health services. They also suffer discrimination in all fields of public life, including health care. National Programme for Roma has been prepared in order to apply multidisciplinary approach to the solution of problems of Roma. It encompasses inclusion of Roma in social and political life, status regulation, education, employment, health care, social welfare, town and country planning, legal aid and fight against discrimination. Description: Croatian National Institute of Public Health participated in preparation of project aimed at improvement of health status and health care of Roma, which addresses the tasks concerning health care from National Programme for Roma. Project encompasses the following major topics: • Health survey of Roma population • Health education and health promotion among Roma • Free reproductive health and family planning consultation service • Informing Roma on how to obtain health insurance and use health care services (including organised assistance when needed) • Education of health care personnel about customs and needs of Roma This project is planned to run simultaneously with other activities from National Programme for Roma, thus enabling comprehensive solution of different problems of Roma population. Roma representatives have actively participated in preparation of National programme for Roma and volunteers from Roma communities will be included in all activities of the project. Lessons learned: When addressing problems of disadvantaged, socially isolated groups in population, such as Roma, coordinated multidisciplinary approach is necessary. It is important to ensure participation of the disadvantaged group members in preparation of intervention. Conclusions: This project is designed in order to reduce health inequalities of Roma population through comprehensive intervention, which encompasses numerous aspects of social life.

health inequality; Roma minority

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