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Crișan D, Avram L, Grapă C, Nemeș A, Coman MV, Beldean-Galea MS, Coman RT, Călinici T, Donca V, Crăciun R. Unveiling Health Inequalities: Exploring Metabolic Dysfunction in Rural Roma Communities. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:816. [PMID: 38667578 PMCID: PMC11050184 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12080816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Europe's largest ethnic minority, the Roma, are often confronted with substantial obstacles that result in health disparities. Research indicates that there are elevated rates of both communicable and non-communicable diseases, such as metabolic syndrome (MetS), among Roma communities, often linked to living conditions, limited education, or poverty. This study centers on remote rural Roma settlements in Romania, evaluating the prevalence of metabolic dysfunction, obesity, and liver steatosis while considering socio-economic and lifestyle factors. METHODS Over a period of 36 months, local visits to a total of 25 rural Roma communities were conducted, where a medical team gathered information through a standardized questionnaire and conducted a physical exam on every participant. Liver steatosis was also recorded with the help of a portable wireless ultrasound device. RESULTS Our study included 343 participants, with a predominance of female subjects, representing 72.5% (n = 249) of the patients. The prevalence of obesity, defined by a body mass index (BMI) above 30 kg/m2, was 32.2% (n = 111). Arterial hypertension was found to have a prevalence of 54.1% (n = 185), with de novo hypertension being observed in 19.2% patients (n = 66). Type 2 diabetes mellitus was found in 28.9% patients (n = 99), with 19.5% being de novo cases. The prevalence of hepatic steatosis was 57.2% (n = 111/194). A positive association between metabolic features and at-risk behaviors was found. CONCLUSIONS This study underscores the transition from infectious to metabolic diseases in vulnerable communities and highlights the urgency of targeted public health strategies tailored to the unique needs of rural Roma populations, aiming to mitigate health disparities and promote equitable healthcare access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Crișan
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, 400000 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (D.C.); (A.N.); (R.-T.C.); (T.C.); (V.D.); (R.C.)
- Clinical Municipal Hospital Cluj-Napoca, 400139 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Lucreția Avram
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, 400000 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (D.C.); (A.N.); (R.-T.C.); (T.C.); (V.D.); (R.C.)
- Clinical Municipal Hospital Cluj-Napoca, 400139 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Cristiana Grapă
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, 400000 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (D.C.); (A.N.); (R.-T.C.); (T.C.); (V.D.); (R.C.)
- “Prof. Dr. O. Fodor” Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andrada Nemeș
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, 400000 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (D.C.); (A.N.); (R.-T.C.); (T.C.); (V.D.); (R.C.)
- Clinical Municipal Hospital Cluj-Napoca, 400139 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Maria-Virginia Coman
- “Raluca Ripan” Institute for Research in Chemistry, “Babeş-Bolyai” University, 400294 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | | | - Radu-Tudor Coman
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, 400000 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (D.C.); (A.N.); (R.-T.C.); (T.C.); (V.D.); (R.C.)
| | - Tudor Călinici
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, 400000 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (D.C.); (A.N.); (R.-T.C.); (T.C.); (V.D.); (R.C.)
| | - Valer Donca
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, 400000 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (D.C.); (A.N.); (R.-T.C.); (T.C.); (V.D.); (R.C.)
- Clinical Municipal Hospital Cluj-Napoca, 400139 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Rareș Crăciun
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, 400000 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (D.C.); (A.N.); (R.-T.C.); (T.C.); (V.D.); (R.C.)
- “Prof. Dr. O. Fodor” Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Busch J, Haehner P, Spierling SK, Leyendecker B. Socio-emotional adjustment throughout the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal study of elementary school-aged children from low-income neighbourhoods. Stress Health 2023; 39:1000-1013. [PMID: 36808799 DOI: 10.1002/smi.3238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Children's socio-emotional adjustment during the COVID-19 pandemic could depend on their pre-pandemic risk of heightened socio-emotional distress and available resources. In a sample of elementary school-aged children from low-income neighbourhoods in Germany, we examined children's socio-emotional adjustment throughout two pandemic-related school closing periods of 5 months each and explored possible determinants of their adjustment. On three occasions before and after school closing, home-room teachers reported on the distress of 365 children (Mage = 8.45, 53% female) and provided information on their family backgrounds and internal resources. We studied child pre-pandemic risk of low socio-emotional adjustment based on low basic care by families and group membership (i.e., recently arrived refugee, deprived Roma family). We studied child resources regarding families' home learning support during school closings and selected internal resources of the children (German reading skills, academic ability). Results showed that children's distress did not increase throughout the school closings. Instead, their distress remained at constant levels or even decreased. On pre-pandemic risk, only low basic care was linked to higher levels of distress and worse trajectories. On child resources, home learning support, academic ability, and German reading skills were inconsistently linked to less distress and better trajectories depending on the school closing period. Our findings suggest better-than-expected socio-emotional adjustment of children from low-income neighbourhoods during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Busch
- Child and Family Research, Faculty for Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- Center for Research on Education and School Development, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Peter Haehner
- Psychological Methodology, Faculty for Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sarah K Spierling
- Child and Family Research, Faculty for Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Birgit Leyendecker
- Child and Family Research, Faculty for Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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Vincze F, Földvári A, Pálinkás A, Sipos V, Janka EA, Ádány R, Sándor J. Prevalence of Chronic Diseases and Activity-Limiting Disability among Roma and Non-Roma People: A Cross-Sectional, Census-Based Investigation. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019; 16:ijerph16193620. [PMID: 31561641 PMCID: PMC6801756 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16193620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2019] [Revised: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The lack of recommended design for Roma health-monitoring hinders the interventions to improve the health status of this ethnic minority. We aim to describe the riskiness of Roma ethnicity using census-derived data and to demonstrate the value of census for monitoring the Roma to non-Roma gap. This study investigated the self-declared occurrence of at least one chronic disease and the existence of activity limitations among subjects with chronic disease by the database of the 2011 Hungarian Census. Risks were assessed by odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) from logistic regression analyses controlled for sociodemographic factors. Roma ethnicity is a risk factor for chronic diseases (OR = 1.17; 95% CI: 1.16–1.18) and for activity limitation in everyday life activities (OR = 1.20; 95% CI: 1.17–1.23), learning-working (OR = 1.24; 95% CI: 1.21–1.27), family life (OR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.16–1.28), and transport (OR = 1.03; 95% CI: 1.01–1.06). The population-level impact of Roma ethnicity was 0.39% (95% CI: 0.37–0.41) for chronic diseases and varied between 0 and 1.19% for activity limitations. Our investigations demonstrated that (1) the Roma ethnicity is a distinct risk factor with significant population level impact for chronic disease occurrence accompanied with prognosis worsening influence, and that (2) the census can improve the Roma health-monitoring system, primarily by assessing the population level impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferenc Vincze
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, University of Debrecen, H-4028 Debrecen, Kassai St 26/B, Hungary.
- Doctoral School of Health Sciences, University of Debrecen, H-4028 Debrecen, Kassai St 26/B, Hungary.
| | - Anett Földvári
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, University of Debrecen, H-4028 Debrecen, Kassai St 26/B, Hungary.
- Doctoral School of Health Sciences, University of Debrecen, H-4028 Debrecen, Kassai St 26/B, Hungary.
| | - Anita Pálinkás
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, University of Debrecen, H-4028 Debrecen, Kassai St 26/B, Hungary.
- Doctoral School of Health Sciences, University of Debrecen, H-4028 Debrecen, Kassai St 26/B, Hungary.
| | - Valéria Sipos
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, University of Debrecen, H-4028 Debrecen, Kassai St 26/B, Hungary.
- Doctoral School of Health Sciences, University of Debrecen, H-4028 Debrecen, Kassai St 26/B, Hungary.
| | - Eszter Anna Janka
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary.
| | - Róza Ádány
- WHO Collaborating Centre on Vulnerability and Health, Public Health Research Institute, University of Debrecen, H-4028 Debrecen, Kassai St 26/B, Hungary.
- Public Health Research Institute, University of Debrecen, H-4028 Debrecen, Kassai St 26/B, Hungary.
- MTA-DE-Public Health Research Group, Public Health Research Institute, University of Debrecen, H-4028 Debrecen, Kassai St 26/B, Hungary.
| | - János Sándor
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, University of Debrecen, H-4028 Debrecen, Kassai St 26/B, Hungary.
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Sándor J, Pálinkás A, Vincze F, Kovács N, Sipos V, Kőrösi L, Falusi Z, Pál L, Fürjes G, Papp M, Ádány R. Healthcare Utilization and All-Cause Premature Mortality in Hungarian Segregated Roma Settlements: Evaluation of Specific Indicators in a Cross-Sectional Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2018; 15:ijerph15091835. [PMID: 30149586 PMCID: PMC6163424 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph15091835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2018] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Roma is the largest ethnic minority of Europe with deprived health status, which is poorly explored due to legal constrains of ethnicity assessment. We aimed to elaborate health indicators for adults living in segregated Roma settlements (SRS), representing the most vulnerable Roma subpopulation. SRSs were mapped in a study area populated by 54,682 adults. Records of all adults living in the study area were processed in the National Institute of Health Insurance Fund Management. Aggregated, age-sex standardized SRS-specific and non-SRS-specific indicators on healthcare utilization and all-cause premature death along with the ratio of them (RR) were computed with 95% confidence intervals. The rate of GP appointments was significantly higher among SRS inhabitants (RR = 1.152, 95% CI: 1.136–1.167). The proportion of subjects hospitalized (RR = 1.286, 95% CI: 1.177–1.405) and the reimbursement for inpatient care (RR = 1.060, 95% CI: 1.057–1.064) were elevated for SRS. All-cause premature mortality was significantly higher in SRSs (RR = 1.711, 1.085–2.696). Our study demonstrated that it is possible to compute the SRS-specific version of routine healthcare indicators without violating the protection of personal data by converting a sensitive ethical issue into a non-sensitive small-area geographical analysis; there is an SRS-specific healthcare utilization pattern, which is associated with elevated costs and increased risk of all-cause premature death.
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Affiliation(s)
- János Sándor
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, University of Debrecen, Kassai St 26/B, H-4028 Debrecen, Hungary.
| | - Anita Pálinkás
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, University of Debrecen, Kassai St 26/B, H-4028 Debrecen, Hungary.
| | - Ferenc Vincze
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, University of Debrecen, Kassai St 26/B, H-4028 Debrecen, Hungary.
| | - Nóra Kovács
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, University of Debrecen, Kassai St 26/B, H-4028 Debrecen, Hungary.
| | - Valéria Sipos
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, University of Debrecen, Kassai St 26/B, H-4028 Debrecen, Hungary.
| | - László Kőrösi
- Department of Financing, National Health Insurance Fund, Váci Rd 73/A, H-1139 Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Zsófia Falusi
- Department of Financing, National Health Insurance Fund, Váci Rd 73/A, H-1139 Budapest, Hungary.
| | - László Pál
- Department of Financing, National Health Insurance Fund, Váci Rd 73/A, H-1139 Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Gergely Fürjes
- National Institute for Health Development, Diószegi St 64, Budapest H-1113, Hungary.
| | - Magor Papp
- National Institute for Health Development, Diószegi St 64, Budapest H-1113, Hungary.
| | - Róza Ádány
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, University of Debrecen, Kassai St 26/B, H-4028 Debrecen, Hungary.
- MTA-DE-Public Health Research Group, Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, University of Debrecen, Kassai St 26/B, H-4028 Debrecen, Hungary.
- WHO Collaborating Centre on Vulnerability and Health, Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Public Health, University of Debrecen, Kassai St 26/B, H-4028 Debrecen, Hungary.
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Abstract
In recent years, suicide rates in Hungary have been among the highest in the European Union. Attempted suicide rates in the Roma population are 2-3 times higher than in the non-Roma population. Since individuals making multiple attempts have a higher pro-bability of eventual death by suicide, and there are limited data on suicidal behaviour of the Roma population, the aim of this study was to explore the sociodemographic and psychological background factors of multiple suicide attempts in the Hungarian Roma population. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 150 individuals admitted to hospital toxicology departments, who made suicide attempts by deliberate self-poisoning, 65 of whom were multiple attempters. Detailed information regarding the current attempt and previous suicidal acts was recorded. Patients also completed the Shortened Beck Depression, the Beck Hopelessness Questionnaire, and the Social Support Questionnaire. Independent samples t-tests were used to evaluate differences in psychological variables between the Roma ( N = 90) and non-Roma ( N = 60) groups. Stepwise linear regression and odds ratios analyses were performed to identify potential background factors of multiple suicide attempts. There was a significantly higher level of previous suicidal events among the Roma in the sample population (3.53 vs. 0.84, p < .001). Roma ethnicity was found to be a strong predictor of multiple suicide attempts. Current major depression, hopelessness, and diagnosed mood disorder were identified as significant risk factors of repeated attempts. Smoking (OR = 5.4), family history of suicide (OR = 4.9), and long-term unemployment (OR = 4.6) were additional risk factors among Roma patients. A thorough understanding of the ethnicity-specific risk factors for multiple suicide attempts could facilitate the development of effective intervention and postvention programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tamás Zonda
- Hungarian Association for Suicide-Prevention
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Enache G, Rusu E, Ilinca A, Rusu F, Costache A, Jinga M, Pănuş C, Radulian G. PREVALENCE OF OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY IN A ROMA POPULATION FROM SOUTHERN ROMANIA - CALARASI COUNTY. Acta Endocrinol (Buchar) 2018; 14:122-130. [PMID: 31149246 DOI: 10.4183/aeb.2018.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Introduction The prevalence of obesity has reached alarming levels in the European Union, including in Romania. Data on the prevalence of obesity is only available at the national populational level, but this may hide the increased levels in disadvantaged groups. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the Roma population in Southern Romania. Material and method This cross-sectional, epidemiological, non-interventional study was conducted from March 2014 to May 2017 in several settlements from Calarasi County. Screening procedures included interviews about medical history, lifestyle, anthropometric and clinical measurements and fasting capillary glucose. Results The study population consisted of 1120 adult subjects, of which 735 Roma. In Roma population group, the prevalence of underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity was 4.5% (n=33), 25% (n=184), 25.3% (n=186) and 45.2% (n=332) respectively. In Romanian Caucasians group, the prevalence of underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity was 2.3% (n=9), 20% (n=77), 33.8% (n=130) and 43.9% (n=169) respectively. Among the Romanian Caucasians significant predictors of obesity were a sedentary lifestyle and current smoking. The odds of being obese in Roma population were higher in sedentary lifestyle persons and lower in current smokers, with primary education, and in those living in rural settlements. The family history of obesity had a significant association with obesity only in Roma population. Conclusions Our results confirm the need to implement prevention programs in high-risk populations due to the double burden of malnutrition, lack of medical education and preventive healthcare, low socio-economic level.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Enache
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.,"Dr Pompei Samarian" County Emergency Hospital, Calarasi, Craiova, Romania
| | - E Rusu
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.,"Nicolae Malaxa" Clinical Hospital Bucharest, Romania
| | - A Ilinca
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - F Rusu
- "Carol Davila" Clinical Emergency Military Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
| | - A Costache
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - M Jinga
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.,"Carol Davila" Clinical Emergency Military Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
| | - C Pănuş
- County Clinical Emergency Hospital of Craiova, Craiova, Romania
| | - G Radulian
- "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania.,"Prof. N.C. Paulescu" National Institute of Diabetes, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases, Bucharest, Romania
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Jankovic J, Stamenkovic Z, Stojanovski K, Goodwin RD, Janevic T. Predictors of prenatal smoking and attempted smoking cessation during pregnancy: a community-based study of Romani women in Southeastern Europe. J Public Health (Oxf) 2017; 39:e186-e193. [PMID: 27899475 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdw123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The objective of this study was to examine predictors of prenatal smoking, and attempted smoking cessation during pregnancy among Romani women. Methods A community-based, cross-sectional study (November 2012 to February 2013) of 410 Romani women in Roma settlements in Serbia and Macedonia was conducted. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of prenatal smoking and attempted smoking cessation during pregnancy. Results Romani women older than 30 years and those who were living with a man were over twice as likely (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12-5.46; aOR 2.09, 95% CI 1.27-3.43) to smoke during pregnancy, compared to women <20 and married women, respectively. An inverse relationship between education and prenatal smoking was observed (for primary education versus no education, aOR 0.56, 95% CI 0.32-0.98; for secondary or higher education versus no education, aOR 0.38, 95% CI 0.16-0.90). Having a husband/partner who smokes was associated with significantly increased likelihood of prenatal smoking (aOR 3.71, 95% CI 2.20-6.25) and decreased likelihood of attempting to quit (aOR 0.51, 95% CI 0.24-1.06). Conclusions Culturally sensitive and comprehensive prevention strategies and intervention programs are needed to reduce smoking during pregnancy among Romani women, including interventions targeting male partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janko Jankovic
- Institute of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 15, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Zeljka Stamenkovic
- Institute of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotica 15, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Kristefer Stojanovski
- Center for Regional Policy Research and Cooperation, Studiorum, Nikola Parapunov br. 41, PO Box 24, 1020 Skopje, Macedonia
| | - Renee D Goodwin
- Department of Psychology, Queens College and The Graduate Center, City University of New York (CUNY), 65-30 Kissena Boulevard, Queens, NY 11367, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Teresa Janevic
- Department of Population Health Science and Health Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
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Petrescu-Mag RM, Petrescu DC, Oroian IG, Safirescu OC, Bican-Brișan N. Environmental Equity through Negotiation: A Case Study on Urban Landfills and the Roma Community. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2016; 13:ijerph13060591. [PMID: 27314371 PMCID: PMC4924048 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13060591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2016] [Revised: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The paper discusses the necessity to bring environmental equity within the Pata Rât Roma community in Northwest Romania, relying on the answers to three questions: “Does environmental equity exist in Pata Rât?”, “How can it be attained?”, and “To what extent can it be brought to the targeted people?” It was shown how a trio of factors tailors the destiny of Roma inhabitants: being a minority, their ethnicity, and the fact they are living on and off what society rejects and dumps—a landfill. The framing of the environmental equity concerns within a vision considering negotiation as the most adequate means to attain it is a novel approach. Further on, the results of the study can fuel win-win solutions in environmental equity. The information abstracted from a set of indicators, assessed through an evaluation matrix, represents a beneficial platform for future bottom-up decisions concerning landfill residents. Three action options were analyzed: on-site living opportunities—that resulted to be preferred, off-site living opportunities, and “Do nothing”. The analysis provides qualitative evidence that the evaluation of environmental equity is largely subjective, because of its complexity and specificity related to geographical, historical, cultural characteristics, and political interests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruxandra Mălina Petrescu-Mag
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Babes-Bolyai University, Fantanele Street, No. 30, Cluj-Napoca 400294, Romania.
| | - Dacinia Crina Petrescu
- Faculty of Business, Babes-Bolyai University, Horea Street, No. 7, Cluj-Napoca 400174, Romania.
| | - Ioan Gheorghe Oroian
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Manastur Street, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania.
| | - Ovidiu Călin Safirescu
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, 3-5 Manastur Street, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania.
| | - Nicoleta Bican-Brișan
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Babes-Bolyai University, Fantanele Street, No. 30, Cluj-Napoca 400294, Romania.
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