Initiatives aimed at increasing access to healthcare services for Roma in the European Union

27.1.2017

Question for written answer E-000456-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Benedek Jávor (Verts/ALE) , Ulrike Lunacek (Verts/ALE) , Terry Reintke (Verts/ALE) , Bodil Valero (Verts/ALE)

According to the World Health Organisation the average life expectancy at birth in the European Region was 74.56 years (WHO, 2014) and according to the Roma Health Report (European Commission, 2014) Roma people experience a 20-year lower life expectancy than non-Roma. This is linked to social determinants and infant mortality rates are reported to be higher in migrant Roma communities. In 2003 Jolana Rambousková found a correlation between maternal health behaviour, nutrition habits and infant mortality. The Roma reportedly face discrimination and racism when accessing healthcare services (WHO, 2013).

Identifying Roma people raises the issue of obstacles to targeting them within the healthcare system, owing to ethical constraints and the rules on collecting ethnic data (Council of Europe, 2007).

What was the Commission’s objective in establishing the Roma Health Report? What initiatives and/or programmes have been implemented since launching the report and what kind of follow-up is planned to ensure that the health inequalities affecting Roma are reduced?

Are there plans for national and/or international collaboration aimed at increasing Roma people’s access to healthcare services and decreasing health inequalities?

Are there planes for initiatives and/or measures that specifically target Roma migrants’ access to healthcare services within the European Union?