title: The crossroads of culture and health among the Roma (Gypsies).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To alert health care providers to commonly encountered cross-cultural impediments to optimal health care delivery for the Roma (also known as Gypsies) and to offer suggestions for avoiding culturally based problems in treating this subculture.
  
  
  METHODS
  Understanding of sociocultural bases of health-related behaviors is necessary for culturally competent and effective health care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of literature and personal interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cultural factors that can affect health care delivery include: concepts of pollution, cleanliness, ideal weight, death, and views of medical procedures such as immunizations and surgery. Responsiveness of health care providers to expectations of Roma about their involvement of family and the hierarchy of age and sex also can enhance patient-provider relationships that in turn can improve compliance and satisfaction with health care regimens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Roma have some culturally distinct beliefs and behaviors related to their health and health care. Knowledge of these characteristics and accommodations to cultural differences are important in their health care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, McDaniel College, 2 College Hill, Westminster, MD 21157-4390, USA.
authors.forename: Carrie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vivian
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dundes
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel / Q000208:ethnology; D001293:Attitude to Death / Q000208:ethnology; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D001828:Body Image; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D003144:Communication Barriers; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D005190:Family / Q000208:ethnology; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D008019:Life Style / Q000208:ethnology; D011287:Prejudice; D006178:Romani People / Q000208:ethnology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013240:Stereotyping; D016746:Transcultural Nursing / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D014481:United States