1. Needs Assessment for Gypsy Americans Ashley Haynes, Savannah Patton, Kyle Marshall Department of Health Education and Health Promotion
Introduction
Findings
Existing Health Promotion Programs
Also known as “Travelers” or “Romani”
Estimated 11 million gypsies worldwide
Originated in India 1,500 years ago
Biggest wave of immigration to U.S- end of 19th century
Multiple subgroups make up U.S Gypsy population
Ranges from 100,000 to 1 million
Social Assessment
Poor health
Believe good health = good fortune
Believe non-gypsy facilities are unclean and cause illness
Health status undetermined due to isolation/unsettled location
Epidemiology
High incidence of heart disease, hypertension & diabetes (Sutherland, 1992, p.1)
Strict and distinct hygiene practices: Use separate towels & soap for the top and bottom halves of the body for hygiene, view saliva & spitting as clean and curative
Female medical care often avoided
Educational and Ecological
Predisposing Factors
Undetermined due to wide range of origin
Infrequent medical screenings
Enabling Factors
Taboo, fortune, health beliefs and family culture
Discrimination from non-gypsies (Heimlich, 2017).
Reinforcing Factors
Gypsy “cures” that are proven effective
Learned experiences based on taboo beliefs
Continuous discrimination from non-gypsies
Administrative and Policy Assessment
Unknown health programs specific to gypsy population
CDC Programs
Diabetes & Heart disease prevention programs
Smoking cessation programs
Local Health Education Programs
Health Clinics – Free Screenings
Infant Care & Feeding classes
Nutritional Classes
Purpose of Needs Assessment
Discussion
Low health literacy
Frequent conflict with medical personnel
Distrust of medical community
Needs assessments
Community diagnosis
Evaluate health status of community
Determine community’s needs/assets
Identify high-risk populations
Identify priorities for health education/promotion interventions
Methods
Conclusion
PRECEDE-PROCEED Model (Part 1: PRECEDE)
Phase 1: Social Assessment
Phase 2: Epidemiology
Phase 3: Educational and Ecological
Phase 4: Administrative and Policy Assessment
Need to increase awareness of gypsy culture
Need programs to increase health literacy and education
Need advocacy programs for social acceptance
Need to utilize social marketing campaigns to target Gypsy population
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