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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2026

Genomic reconstruction of the Pakistani Roma reveals dual South Asian ancestry, medieval bottlenecks, and the early dispersal routes of the Romani people.

The Roma people represent one of the largest and most historically enigmatic diasporas in Eurasia, illuminating human migration patterns and cultural resilience across continents. Despite extensive research on European Roma as the diaspora endpoint, the genetic legacy of their putative South Asian source populations remains critically underexplored, leaving fundamental gaps in understanding the pre-diaspora demographic structure and early dispersal dynamics. This study uniquely positions Pakistani Roma as a potential ancestral reservoir, offering a rare window into the pre-migration phase distinct from derived European Roma populations shaped by centuries of post-dispersal admixture. We analyze 82 Pakistani Roma from Punjab using high-resolution genome-wide SNP data and comprehensive mitochondrial haplogroup profiling to reconstruct their genetic origins, population structure, and historical trajectory. Analyses reveal a dual ancestry profile comprising 50-82% Indus Valley related, 20-30% Onge related, and up to 26% Steppe derived components, with three distinct subgroups exhibiting varying affinities along a South Asian to Central Western Eurasian continuum reflecting jati-like endogamy. A severe demographic bottleneck ~800 years ago coincides with medieval socio-political upheavals, while major Eurasian admixture is dated to ~660 years ago. Mitochondrial haplogroups H (45.12%) and M (26.83%) underscore dual maternal influences from West and South Eurasia. Pakistani Roma retain substantially higher South Asian ancestry than their European counterparts, establishing them as a genetically distinct population preserving the ancestral pre-diaspora state. These findings redefine the Romani origin narrative and underscore the critical value of understudied South Asian minorities in reconstructing complex human migration pathways and diaspora formation mechanisms.

Humans↗
PubMed2005

A Romani mitochondrial haplotype in England 500 years before their recorded arrival in Britain.

The nomadic Romani (gypsy) people are known for their deep-rooted traditions, but most of their history is recorded from external sources. We find evidence for a Romani genetic lineage in England long before their recorded arrival there. The most likely explanations are that either the historical record is wrong, or that early liaisons between Norse and Romani people during their coincident presence in ninth to tenth century Byzantium led to the spread of the haplotype to England.

DNA, Mitochondrial↗
PubMed1997

The use of problem-based learning in dealing with cultural minority groups.

Minority peoples like the Romanies have divergent cultures. Typical cultural aspects for medical personnel to consider would include greetings and other communication, family and social support, dressing and habits of cleanliness, marriage and sexuality, honor, and other issues of importance to any human being. Some minority cultures have no geographic boundaries but they still may adopt the lifestyles of the country they live in. Physicians have to reckon with these different cultural patterns when dealing with patients. Patients must be treated equally at the same time when their personal needs require individual consideration. This consideration is reflected in both verbal and non-verbal communication with the other. Both the sender and the receiver of a message would need to know of the other. Minority groups tend to know more about the majority groups than vice versa. Most health care providers belong to the majority group and would be expected to learn more about the other. Problem-based learning can help students to understand attitudes of minority patients (like the Romanies) and handle the situation. In this instance, the students collected theory base from existing legal, cultural, and other resources and interviewed a Romany woman to verify that the information pertaining to the female case was correct. This combination of theory and experience was considered useful in preparing a case presented to a seminar with 116 medical and dental students in 1994.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed2000

The state of health of the Romany population in the Czech Republic.

The health state pilot study of Romany nationality people (432 adults and 105 children) intended on relationship between social characteristics and presentation of health problems, further on the index of absence from work due to illness and mutual relations. The frequent occurrence of diagnostic groups E10-14, F70-79 and M00-99 was found among the group of men. The results of investigation are valid in particular for our examined group.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Polymorphism of platelet glycoprotein Ib in the Spanish population ].

PURPOSE: To assess the polymorphism of the platelet membrane glycoprotein in castilians and gypsy people and to confirm the genetic transmission of such glycoprotein by means of family studies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two-hundred castilians and 87 gypsy subjects were studied. Glycoprotein Ib was analysed by means of SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by Western-Blotting and labelling with glycoprotein-specific monoclonal antibodies and lectins. The different populations were compared by using the chi-square method (Fisher's test). RESULTS: Only three groups of glycoprotein Ib, namely, B, C and D, were found in both population groups, no differences being observed in the expression of the different phenotypic variants. Lesser polymorphism was present in the gypsy group. The family studies showed that glycoprotein Ib is genetically determined, the two alleles being co-dominantly expressed in each individual. CONCLUSIONS: The polymorphism of glycoprotein Ib is similar to that of caucasians, type A being not found. No differences seem to exist between castilians and gypsy people. The heredity pattern is autosomal co-dominant.

Alleles↗
PubMed1998

Diversity of HLA-B61 alleles and haplotypes in East Asians and Spanish Gypsies.

The distribution of HLA-B61 alleles and their association with HLA-C and DRB1 alleles were investigated in six East Asian populations (South Korean, Chinese Korean, Man (Manchu), Northern Han, Mongolian and Buryat) and Spanish Gypsies and compared to our previous report on the Japanese population. The alleles were identified using a group-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and genomic DNA followed by hybridization with sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes (SSOP). Both HLA-B*4002 and B*4006 were commonly detected in the South Korean, Chinese Korean, Man, Northern Han and Japanese populations, while HLA-B*4002 was predominant in the Mongolian and Buryat populations. Strong associations of B*4002 with Cw*0304 and of B*4006 with Cw*0801 were commonly observed in these East Asian populations. In contrast, in Spanish Gypsies, only HLA-B*4006 was found and the allele exhibited a strong association with Cw*1502. HLA-B*4003 was also identified in the South Korean, Chinese Korean, Northern Han, Mongolian and Japanese populations at relatively low frequencies, and exhibited an association with Cw*0304. Moreover, the association of these B61 alleles with the DRB1 alleles revealed considerable diversity among the different populations. HLA-B*4004 and B*4009 were not observed in these populations. Consequently, the frequencies of the B61 alleles varied among the different East Asian populations, but the individual B61 alleles were carried by specific haplotypes often regardless of the ethnic differences.

Alleles↗
PubMed2001

Health needs of the Roma population in the Czech and Slovak Republics.

In the growing literature on the human rights of Roma people in Central Europe, their relatively poor health status is often mentioned. However, little concrete information exists about the contemporary health status of the Roma in this region. We sought information on the health of the Roma in two of countries with significant Roma minorities, the Czech and Slovak Republics, by means of systematic searches for literature on the health of Roma people published in Czech or Slovak or by authors from the two countries. Published research on health of the Roma population is sparse. The topics that have received attention suggest a focus on concepts of contagion or social Darwinism, indicating a greater concern with the health needs of the majority populations with which they live. What limited evidence exists indicates that the health needs of the Roma population are considerable. With very few exceptions, the health status of Roma is worse than that of non-Roma population in both countries. The burden of communicable disease among Roma is high and diseases associated with poor hygiene seem to be particularly important. Evidence on health care suggests poor communication between Roma and health workers and low uptake of preventative care. The health needs of Roma lack visibility, not only because of the absence of research but also the absence of advocacy on their behalf. Since 1989, Czech and Slovak researchers have largely turned away from health research on particular ethnic groups. This probably reflects a growing sensitivity about stigmatising Roma, but it also makes it difficult to know how their circumstances might be improved. There is a need for further research into the health of Roma people with particular emphasis on non-communicable disease and for interventions that would improve their health.

Czech Republic↗
PubMed1991

The health of Travellers' children in Northern Ireland.

A study was carried out to examine aspects of the health status of children from a group of 'travelling people' in Northern Ireland. A total of 350 children, aged under 16 years, were included in the study. Data were gathered by community health doctors and health visitors using a standardised questionnaire. The study revealed that this community has a high degree of consanguinity and points to higher levels of congenital abnormalities than in the settled community. Uptake of immunisation was less than the settled community and hospital admissions in the younger age group were particularly due to infectious diseases. The authors conclude that provision of health services for travelling people in Northern Ireland should be urgently reviewed with consideration of the needs and lifestyle of this group. The provision of suitable sites for travelling people with adequate water and sewage facilities to reduce potential risks to health is also advocated.

Child↗
PubMed1992

[Marginality, ethnic groups and health].

Main marginated ethnic groups in Span are to be found among gypsies and 3rd world immigrants. The first group include about 250,000 persons and the second group more tan half a million people. Their origins and their being past of the less fortunate social layers made them a group of health risk. Pediatric pathologies are those favored by socio-economic shortcomings as well as hygienic-sanitary deficiencies. Imported pediatric pathologies have a small incident.

Child↗
PubMed2002

[Health status of the roma population in Hungary].

The status and problems of the roma (gipsy) population have been in the forefront in Hungary and have called for numerous benevolent interventions. Successful planning and implementation of programs aimed at the improvement of their health status must be based on solid facts regarding their problems and the causes behind. The authors give a literature review on research papers discussing the health (disease) status of the Hungarian roma population published between 1980 and 2001. They give a summary on the demography of gypsies, an overview of publications on pregnancy, delivery and infant mortality, on adult morbidity and mortality, on genetic investigations among roma people, as well as on their health behaviour and relations with the health care system, and finally, they give a brief overview of their socio-economic status. The authors sum up the major difficulties of research aimed at roma people, express their concern regarding health research papers published on gypsies; and outline their recommendation on the future direction of research on the health of the roma population.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

The health of the Roma people: a review of the published literature.

BACKGROUND: The Roma people originated in northern India and have been known in Europe for nearly a thousand years. For much of that time they have been the subjects of discrimination and oppression, culminating in the extermination of half a million Roma in the Nazi death camps. While it is widely believed that the health of Roma people is often poorer than the majority population, these inequalities remain largely unresearched. METHODS: Published literature on the health of the Roma people was identified using Medline. Opinion pieces were excluded, as were papers relating to anthropometry and to genetic markers. The resultant papers were analysed by country of study and by disease type or care group. RESULTS: Some 70% of papers identified related to just three countries; Spain and the Czech and Slovak Republics. Much literature concentrates upon communicable disease or reproductive health. The limited evidence suggests increased morbidity from non-communicable disease, but there is little published on this topic. Evidence on health care, though fragmentary, suggests poorer access to health services and uptake of preventative care. DISCUSSION: Published research on the health needs of the Roma population is sparse. The topics that have received attention suggest a focus on concepts of contagion or social Darwinism, indicating a greater concern with the health needs of the majority populations with which they live. There is a need for both further research into the health of Roma people; with particular emphasis on non-communicable disease; and also for interventions that improve Roma health. Such research must, however, be handled with sensitivity, recognising the social and political context of the society concerned.

Child Welfare↗
PubMed2004

Systemic lupus erythematosus in southern Spain: a comparative clinical and genetic study between Caucasian and Gypsy patients.

We evaluated the influence of the hereditary make-up on the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in two ethnic groups [Gypsy and white Caucasian Mediterranean (WCM) populations], living in the same geographic area. We compared 81 WCM and 25 Gypsy patients with SLE. The control group consisted of 185 healthy unrelated individuals, 105 WC and 80 Gypsies. In the Gypsy population, the onset of SLE occurred at earlier ages than in the other ethnic group (25.9 versus 32.0 years, P = 0.02), and showed lower SLEDAI peak values (4.9 versus 7.0, P = 0.016). The frequency of joint, kidney, gastrointestinal and eye involvement was significantly lower in Gypsy patients. In contrast, SLE-associated antiphospholipid syndrome, thrombosis and livedo reticularis were more frequent in Gypsies than in the majority ethnic group (WCM). In WCM patients, DRB1* 1303-DQB1*0301 haplotype was associated with SLE (P = 0.001, Pc = 0.038). We found SLE to be associated with DR5 (P = 0.006, Pc = 0.05) in the Gypsy population as well as a protective effect of DPB1*0401 when DR5 was not present (P = 0.008, Pc = 0.032). In conclusion, we found some clinical differences between WCM and Gypsy patients with SLE. Furthermore, HLA associations between HLA-DRB1-DQB1 and SLE were different for Gypsy people.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Gypsies and health care.

Gypsies in the United States are not a healthy group. They have a high incidence of heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. When they seek medical care, Gypsies often come into conflict with medical personnel who find their behavior confusing, demanding, and chaotic. For their part, Gypsies are often suspicious of non-Gypsy people and institutions, viewing them as a source of disease and uncleanliness. Gypsy ideas about health and illness are closely related to notions of good and bad fortune, purity and impurity, and inclusion and exclusion from the group. These basic concepts affect everyday life, including the way Gypsies deal with eating and washing, physicians and hospitals, the diagnosis of illness, shopping around for cures, and coping with birth and death.

Attitude to Death↗
PubMed2003

Utilization of primary health care services by Turkish gypsies and members of the general population at Muradiye Health Unit District in Edirne, Turkey.

This survey was designed to investigate the socio-demographic characteristics of and utilization of a Primary Heath Care Unit (PHCU) by Roma people (Turkish Gypsies), who live in the coverage area of Muradiye Primary Health Care Unit, as compared to members of the general population. This was a cross-sectional field study involving members of the Muradiye PHCU district. The study population comprised 127 Turkish gypsies resident in the region and 302 households selected by a stratified random sampling method. 889 household members were interviewed face-to-face at their home by means of a structured questionnaire. When the two sample groups were compared in terms of their social security coverage, rates of unemployment and educational levels, the situation of the Turkish Gypsies was found to be worse than that of the other members of the general population. 63% of the Gypsies applied to the PHCU because of health problems and 87% of these cases were treated successfully. Among those people making use of the PHCU services 47% evaluated them as being "satisfactory". Access to the PHCU services was found to be conditioned by educational level, being a Gypsy, the possession or not of a Green Card (available only to highly indigent people), whether or not the services were provided free of charge and the possession or not of social security coverage. Muradiye PHCU is well known and highly appreciated in its coverage area and is used by almost all of the residents. The main reason for the significant discrepancies in the level of health care obtained by the two population groups is the Gypsies' poorer economic situation. Among the Gypsies, the leading category of low rate social security coverage is the Green Card, which is granted to the very poor in order to reduce these inequalities. Unfortunately, the Green Card does not provide financial support for ambulatory care.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Alcoholism prevalence and some related factors in Edirne, Turkey.

The aim of this research was to estimate the community prevalence of alcoholism and the potential risk factors that affect it in the Edirne provincial centre by using a scanning test. A cross-sectional study was carried out in the Edirne provincial centre. A sample population composed of 500 women and 200 men was selected randomly after the categorisation of the population according to ethnicity, age and sex. Through face-to-face interviews, data collection sheets, which were prepared to analyse potential factors affecting alcoholism frequency, were filled in by the sample population. The Michigan Alcoholism Scanning Test (MAST) was employed. According to MAST's normal grading, individuals with 5 or more points are evaluated as alcoholics. Accordingly, 8.2% of the sample population fit the definition of alcoholic. Alcoholism frequency was considerably higher in gypsies, the self-employed, smokers, and people with higher income. From logistic regression analysis alcoholism frequency was 12.4 times higher in men than in women, 3.2 times higher in gypsies than in others, 1.9 times higher in people who earned an income in the preceding week than in the unemployed, and 3.7 times higher in individuals who had smoked more than 100 cigarettes during their life or those who had smoked at least 1 cigarette for 3 months or for a longer period than in those who hadn't smoked any cigarettes. The prevalence of alcoholism in the Edirne provincial centre was similar to that in other countries in Europe. The most important finding was that alcohol consumption decreased in the unemployed, a finding that differs from that in other parts of the world. Gypsies, who differ in tradition, way of life, and job compared to the other strata of society, also suffered from higher alcohol consumption. This group usually consumed wine and generally did not eat while drinking.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Our dilemma: the self-marginal people.

Cultural diversity is nowadays a common phenomenon in most developed countries. Its impact is felt in daily life, as well as in health care settings. Hospital del Mar, due to its geographical location, receives some of the 34.7% of immigrants from a varied cultural background. Endeavours are made to promote cultural awareness among staff and to facilitate communication. However, a Spanish Gypsy group, albeit not immigrants, are by large the problematic cultural group. A questionnaire study was conducted to validate the difficulty in treating these Gypsies versus migrant patients. The questionnaire was distributed to different health care professionals in the hospital. The result is not surprising. The problems encountered with the migrant patients are mainly due to language barrier. Concerning these Gypsies who speak fluent Spanish, the problems are by far more extensive. These are often generated by their abiding cultural values, distinctive lifestyle, low educational level and rejection of the shared norms of the majority. Any attempt to encourage adherence to hospital rules are often futile as a result of the gypsies' negative attitudes. Staff have expressed occasional feelings of weariness when dealing with such situations.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Breathing difficulties and asthma prevalence in children from zero to five years of age in five Rom settlements].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relation between living conditions in temporary Rom settlements and asthma prevalence in children. DESIGN: Purposive cluster (Rom settlements) sampling. SETTING: Five settlements of Rom from Macedonia and Kosovo located in five cities in northern and central Italy. These settlements were chosen to represent the different types of existing living arrangements. PARTICIPANTS: 137 Rom families residing in the selected settlements. In total 737 people were covered, of which 167 were children from zero to five years of age. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Respiratory wheezing, breathing difficulties during lifetime and number of episodes in the last 12 months. Asthma diagnosis and period prevalence. RESULTS: The comparison with the data of the SIDRIA study for children aged 6-7 confirms the reliability of the results we are presenting. However, the study reveals a higher incidence of asthma symptoms in Rom children which could lead to a worse asthma prognosis in later years. Moreover, the prevalence of asthma and the incidence of asthma symptoms in the last year vary significantly according to the settlement of origin and the state of the housing in which the child lives. CONCLUSION: The health of Rom children who live in settlements is put under great strain by the poor state of repair of the majority of these structures. It is therefore necessary to overcome the "emergency" approach and the "temporary" nature of the measures taken so far to deal with the issue of Rom from Eastern Europe, and plan serious reception and integration policies.

Asthma↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The aged among Gypsies].

In former investigations in the changes in elder people's life the importance of general social conditions, for instance their economic conditions, has been shown. So for instance the often reported loss of functions of the elders in the highly industrialized western cultures and the seperation from the family can not be observed in other cultures in the same extent. Several investigations among Gypsies as an autonomous cultural group have made evident that, more often than in western cultures, elder Gypsies live in the same household with their grown-up children. Also old Gypsies take a number of functions and tasks in the family and clan, that in part even become more important with their growing age. The fact that almost all German Gypsies (Sinti) have settled and their growing integration into German society suggested, that there might be a change in the situation and importance of old Gypsies. In our investigations in 64 German Gypsy families we found the three-generation-household clearly changed. But in the same time grown-up children and their parents try to live as close as possible. More than half of the interviewed persons lived in direct neighborhood of their parents resp. their grown-up children. It could be also demonstrated, that old Gypsies still have a great importance in conserving and mediating old traditions. So in spite of some external changes no real local or social isolation of old Gypsies could be found in this investigation.

Aged↗