The Crossroads of Culture and Health Among the Roma (Gypsies)

Purpose: To alert health care providers to commonly encountered cross-cultural impediments to optimal health care delivery for the Roma (also known as Gypsies) and to offer suggestions for avoiding culturally based problems in treating this subculture.

Organizing Framework: Understanding of sociocultural bases of health-related behaviors is necessary for culturally competent and effective health care.

Methods: Review of literature and personal interviews.

Findings: Cultural factors that can affect health care delivery include: concepts of pollution, cleanliness, ideal weight, death, and views of medical procedures such as immunizations and surgery. Responsiveness of health care providers to expectations of Roma about their involvement of family and the hierarchy of age and sex also can enhance patient-provider relationships that in turn can improve compliance and satisfaction with health care regimens.

Conclusion: The Roma have some culturally distinct beliefs and behaviors related to their health and health care. Knowledge of these characteristics and accommodations to cultural differences are important in their health care.