Sociodemographic and health conditions of the Romá population in Milan

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the socioeconomic and health status of rom a people mainly living in not authorized settlements in Milan. DESIGN: Evaluation of socioeconomic and healthcare data collected by the mobile unit of Naga, a voluntary association based in Milan, during two years of activity (2009-2010). Healthcare data have been classified using an operational classification. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Settlements located in Milan where rom a people live. RESULTS: 1 142 rom a people living in 14 settlements of Milan (only one authorized) were visited.Mean schooling years were 4.9. The mean number of children per family was 2.8. Of 803 people older than 13 years, 129 had an occupation (16%). 56%of subjetcs older than 12 years were smokers (53% females vs. 59%males); among smokers, 17%were heavy smokers (12%females vs 22% males). The most frequently reported diseases were: respiratory diseases (21%of total diagnoses), disorders of the orthopedic-rheumatologic-traumatology area (13%), gastroenterological diseases (10%) and dental problems (8%). Most residents had no healthcare coverage (94%). Almost all settlements (except the authorized one) had no sanitary facilities, no garbage collection system and were definitely overcrowded. CONCLUSION: Mild diseases were the most commonly found pathologies, with few chronic diseases reported probably due to difficulties in investigating more complex diseases in the study setting,and to the impossibility to follow the patients over time. Furthermore, the access to healthcare services for diagnostic tests and specialist visits is very very difficult for these patients. Poor living conditions, low educational level, low employment rate, barriers in the access to healthcare services are all risks factors for the health status of rom a people.