Prolepsis Institute announces the launch of the program “Healthy and Strong Roma Women in Greece“, with the support of Fondation CHANEL

The project is a follow up of other intervention activities which have been implemented in recent years by Prolepsis Institute targeting the health promotion for Roma women. It includes a number of educational and information activities implemented in Roma communities in various regions of Greece on various health promotion issues, such as smoking prevention, vaccination, promotion of healthy eating habits and prevention of gynecological problems. In addition screening for cervical and breast cancer will take place as well as HPV vaccinations. The project will be implemented in cooperation with municipalities, community centers providing services to Roma communities, hospitals, health centers and other institutions. Mobile screening units will also be used especially since the project targets isolated Roma communities.

The project “Healthy and Strong Roma Women in Greece” will be implemented in Roma settlements and communities in several areas of Greece.

The living and working conditions of Roma populations, in combination with the economic and social inequalities that they face, have a negative impact on their health status. Low life expectancy and high premature mortality rates are some of the most notable indicators of health inequalities. Roma women in particular have a lower level of health, more chronic problems than men and reduced accessibility to health services due to their low health literacy and the social discrimination that they experience.

With this project, Prolepsis Institute seeks to empower Roma women on matters of health and prevention, to motivate them to make good self-care decisions and to contribute to reducing inequalities.