Roma and Health in Yorkshire & Humber

Roma in the Yorkshire & Humber region Roma migration is a recent phenomenon In Yorkshire & the Humber region, most Roma are from Slovakia and Czech Republic. Some from Hungary. Some from Poland. Few from Romania, though there is anecdotal evidence that numbers are increasing. Concentrations in Sheffield, Rotherham, Leeds and Bradford. Smaller numbers Kirklees, Calderdale, Wakefield. New research by University of Salford published in late October estimates the number of Roma in the region as 25,451.

Roma and health impacts (i) Migrant Roma are often seen as arriving in UK with varied and complex needs These are often related to poverty, and experience of entrenched discrimination resulting in an absence of trust Local research and anecdotal information highlights conditions including: diabetes; coronary artery disease; obesity; teenage pregnancy; nutritional deficiencies; stress.

Roma and health impacts (ii) Continuing factors within the UK that contribute to poor health, include: insecure employment; poor working conditions, often with minimal rights; inadequate access to education and care; long-term health conditions; unhealthy lifestyles community tensions.

Roma Women Health mediators (RWHM) in the Yorkshire & Humber region Roma MATRIX will support Roma women’s health mediators in Yorkshire and Humber – contracts just awarded. Building on good work of Roma SOURCE, which ran two health champion programmes and showed that health mediators or health champions are an effective way to engage with Roma communities.

Roma Women health mediators (ii) In Roma MATRIX, 45 Roma women from around our region will be recruited. They will work within their communities to promote healthy living and improve access to services. Address the health needs of Roma women in their local communities Address the multiple exclusion experienced by many Roma women

Roma Women health mediators (iii) Partners will produce at least 7 case studies All partners will contribute to a European good practice guide. All partners will take part in an end-of-project good practice conference in Yorkshire Ongoing good practice will be shared at regular good practice workshops

Thank You John Donegan +44 (0) | +44 (0)