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Health and Health Care Among Travellers*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2009

Jan Pahl  and
Michael Vaile
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Abstract

Travellers, or Gypsies, constitute a minority group with its own culture and traditions for whom access to health care can pose problems. A study of Traveller women and children showed that the sites where they lived were often lacking in facilities and provided a poor environment in terms of cleanliness and safety. Perinatal mortality was above average, and was especially high on sites with inadequate facilities and among the more mobile families. Immunisation and preventive care of children were both inadequate, especially among the more mobile. There continues to be a need for more, and better, permanent sites for Travellers. Other responses include allowing Traveller families to carry their own medical records, providing mobile clinics for Gypsy sites, and appointing specialist health visitors to ensure that Travellers get the health care to which they are entitled.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Social Policy , Volume 17 , Issue 2 , April 1988 , pp. 195 - 213
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1988

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