IPH welcomes publication of the All-Ireland Traveller Health Study

A new study has found that Traveller men now live on average 15 years less than men in the general population. Traveller women  live on average 11.5 years less than women in the general population. 

The All Ireland Traveller Health Study (AITHS) followed the earlier publication of the National Traveller Health Strategy.  The Strategy resulted in the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) being commissioned by the Department of Health and Children in the Republic of Ireland (ROI), and supported by Pavee Point, a national Traveller Organisation in ROI, to undertake a comprehensive consultation process throughout Ireland to ascertain the views of Travellers, Traveller organisations, the Health Service Executive (HSE) and health personnel in relation to the scope and conduct of the AITHS. This consultation involved over 600 people throughout the regions and was completed in December 2003 with a national conference. 
IPH then submitted a report to the Department of Health and Children, which was developed into a scoping document for an All-Ireland Traveller Health Study (AITHS).
The AITHS found that deaths from respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases and suicides are more markedly increased in Travellers compared to the general population. The Study examined the health status of Travellers on the island of Ireland, assessed the impact of the health services currently being provided and identified factors which influenced health status.

The Study was commissioned by the Department of Health and Children, in conjuction with the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland.  It was carried out by UCD's School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Population Science.
The UCD project team was chaired by Professor Cecily Kelleher. 
Access the full report here

Key findings of the All Ireland Traveller Health Study
 

• The Traveller population in the island of Ireland was estimated at 40,129 in 2008; 36,224 in the Republic of Ireland and 3,905 in Northern Ireland.

• Life expectancy at birth for male Travellers has remained at the 1987 level of 61.7 which is 15.1 years less than men in the general population, representing a widening of the gap by 5.2 years. This is equivalent to the life expectancy of the general population in the 1940s. There are, however, marginal increases in male Traveller life expectancies at later ages.

• Life expectancy at birth for female Travellers is now 70.1 which is 11.5 years less than women in the general population, and is equivalent to the life expectancy of the general population in the early 1960s. This has improved from 1987 when life expectancy was 65 years.

• Traveller infant mortality is estimated at 14.1 per 1,000 live births. This is a small decrease from an estimated rate of 18.1 per 1,000 live births in 1987. Over the same time period the general population infant mortality rate has reduced from 7.4 to 3.9 per 1,000 live births.
   
• Travellers, in particular males, continue to have higher rates of mortality for all causes of death.
   
• Male Travellers had a higher Standardised Mortality Ratio (SMR) in 2008 (372) compared with 1987 (351), while in the same period the SMR of males in the general population has reduced from 161 to 100.

• The SMR for female Travellers in 2008 reduced to 309 compared with 472 in 1987, while in the same period the SMR of females in the general population has reduced from 150 to 100.

• There have been improvements in Traveller women’s health, notably (1) a narrowing the gap in life expectancy between Traveller and non-Traveller women of 0.4 years, (2) reduction in fertility rates to 2.7 per 1,000 population and (3) uptake of cervical screening at rates higher than the general ROI population and uptake of breast screening at rates similar to the general ROI population.

• Access to health services is good, with Travellers stating that their access is at least as good as that of the rest of the population. Access to primary care services is an important element of health services delivery. Over 94% of Travellers in ROI have a Medical Card with this figure rising to 99% in the older age group and nearly 97% of all Travellers in ROI are registered with a GP. The Traveller Primary Health Care workers are part of the HSE Primary Care Team. However, the research reports that the healthcare experience is not as good as the general population, with communication cited as a major issue by both Travellers and service providers.

• Just under half of all Travellers feel discriminated against. This is experienced in all aspects of life. However, least discrimination is experienced in sport, followed by the health sector. Travellers have a strong sense of community and high levels of community/family support.

• Suicide rates are nearly 7 times higher in Traveller men compared with the general male population.

• Education levels are very low with only about half of Traveller adults having completed at least primary school education. However, more than 90% of 14 year olds are now in school or training centres.