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Health Impact of Gypsy Sites Policy in the UK

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2008

Patrice Van Cleemput
Patrice Van Cleemput*
Affiliation:
School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield E-mail p.vancleemput@sheffield.ac.uk and patriceable@gmail.com
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Abstract

This paper illustrates the social and health consequences of the politics and policies of Gypsy sites in the UK. Recent research concerning health status shows that Gypsies and Travellers have significantly poorer health than other UK resident English speaking ethnic minorities and economically disadvantaged white UK residents. Interview data from the qualitative study of Gypsy and Traveller experience of health and access to health care illustrate the impact of inequality and the association of accommodation factors with health outcomes health. This paper explores how policy on Gypsy sites impacts on the availability of suitable accommodation for Gypsies and Travellers and examines the practical implications for their status in society and the wider health consequences.

Type
Themed Section Care or Control? Gypsies, Travellers and the State
Information
Social Policy and Society , Volume 7 , Issue 1 , January 2008 , pp. 103 - 117
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2007

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