Gypsies/Travellers and health: risk categorisation versus being ‘at risk’

Abstract

Risk categorisation provides a routine and necessary contribution to the way people make sense of and impute predictability in a complex human world of which their knowledge is limited. It is a precursor to the development of risk management strategies. Risk categorisation schemes can vary depending on the underlying perspective and knowledge used in their construction. There are estimated to be between 120,000 and 300,000 Gypsies and Travellers in the UK. They have been categorised on the one hand as a group that is 'at risk' suffering wide ranging inequalities and on the other they can be seen as the archetypical 'other' posing risks to normative stability. Public policies to manage their health risks have been limited in contrast to policies to address their 'otherness' status which have aimed to exclude, relocate and forcibly remove them from public space. Little is understood about the way in which Gypsies and Travellers categorise and manage the risks to their health within the context of adverse public policies. In-depth qualitative interviews were undertaken during 2010 and 2011 with 39 Gypsies and Travellers aged between 18 and 66 comprising 20 females and 19 males living in an area of South-East England. Respondents framed risk in terms of threats to their health, culture and traditional way of life and issues of trust were central to this. They sought to devise risk management strategies that would maintain boundaries between their community and outsiders who were perceived to be the source of risks to their health. A consequence of their risk management strategies was the potential perpetuation of threats to their health and wellbeing.

“It's because it's cancer, not because you're a Traveller”-exploring lay understanding of cancer in English Romany Gypsy and Irish Traveller communities

“…In terms of lay understanding, Jesper et al (2008) found that some Gypsies and Travellers described the nature of cancer not in relation to the physiological body but as a distinctly gendered disease, particularly in terms of who may be prone to it. Other studies identify a belief that the disease is contagious (Twiselton and Huntington, 2009), -while others report a belief that discussing cancer can make one more susceptible to it (Ruston and Smith, 2013). Some Gypsies and Travellers also believe that a bad diagnosis from a health professional can actually harm the patient's overall resilience (Welsh Government, 2015).…”

The frequency of chronic diseases and a health-promoting lifestyle in a group of elderly Romani people living in Northern Turkey

“…It was also found that the average length of life in this group was 10 to 12 ages less than the general population [8]. A study by Özdemir et al determined that 78.8% of the elder population living in Sivas had chronic diseases [21].…”

“…The researchers decided that this number was not sufficient for the study. Considering that the average life expectancy is 10 to 12 ages shorter in the Romani people than in the general population [8], the Romanis aged 60 and older were also included in the study population.…”

“…Thus, unhealthy living conditions have a negative effect on the quality of life and may shorten the average life span. Accordingly, Smith and Ruston stated that the average lifespan in the Roman population is 10 to 12 ages shorter than that of the general population [8].…”

The Health and Wellbeing of Gypsies and Travellers in Settled Housing: A Narrative Review of the Evidence and Policy

“…The extent to which people feel in control over where and how they live is also significant in influencing health and wellbeing outcomes. Lack of control and ability to manage housing environments often has a crucial health-damaging effect on a marginalised social status and exacerbates existing health inequalities (Van Hout and Staniewicz, 2012;Ruston and Smith, 2013). The criminalisation of unauthorised camping and a decline in public site vacancies following the 1994 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act has precipitated a drift into 'conventional' and 'settled' housing over recent decades as options to live a nomadic life, or to reside on campsites, have been significantly curtailed post-1994.…”