All Ireland Traveller Health Study Our Geels - Department of Health ...

All Ireland Traveller Health Study
Overall Summary of the
Comparative Section
This comparative discussion has drawn data from multiple sources, to create a picture of Traveller
health and social status in contemporary Ireland. The primary comparator groups were those of similar
socioeconomic standing in the general Irish population, although comparisons were also drawn with
the samples of all the general population where this proved informative.
With regard to health status of Travellers, we have shown that this population subgroup subjectively
rates their health in a positive manner, but in fact have substantially higher rates of ill-health affecting
them on a day-to-day basis than is demonstrated in the comparator populations. They have a higher
burden of chronic diseases, and higher measures of risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure,
cholesterol, and dietary consumption of fried foods. Fewer Travellers drink alcohol than do the general
population, but those who do drink, drink more frequently. They have similar rates of injury than
the comparator populations, but have higher rates of non-accidental injury. Breastfeeding rates are
extremely low.
Again, Travellers rate the general health of their children in a very positive light. However, when data
is examined on specific health concerns, it can be seen that Traveller children have higher reported
prevalence of hearing, eyesight and speech problems. Traveller children clearly benefit from the
established Traveller community: they have multiple close friends. By parental report, experimentation
with alcohol and tobacco is also rare in the Traveller 14-year-olds, and Traveller children are physically
active in their day-to-day life. However, in comparison with other children, few have home access to
computers.
Travellers report similar sources of support, with regard to social support from friends and family, as
do the comparator population. However, the comparison between the Travellers and the general
population with respect to measures of trust is striking. The frequency of reporting of experiences of
discrimination is also high.
Travellers report that they access health services with a greater frequency than do other comparator
populations. They also access preventive medicine services, such as voluntary screening programmes.
Furthermore, their experiences of health services are consistently less positive than are the experiences
of the comparator population in INSIGHT ‘07. It is also notable that more Travellers reported not
accessing care for their children because of a concern about paying for services than did the
comparator population, notwithstanding the fact that they have medical cards.
In summary, this comparative exercise has shown that the Travelling community has a higher burden of
ill-health than does the general population. Whilst Travellers would appear to access hospital services
more frequently than do others, their experience of the services are not as positive.
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