Closed petition Add ethnic groups Gypsies, Roma and Irish Travellers to the NHS data dictionary

Closed on 4 January 2019

Gypsies, Roma and Irish Travellers are ethnic groups with some of the lowest health outcomes in the UK.

At present, these groups are not recorded in the NHS data dictionary. Inclusion in the NHS data dictionary would give a clearer idea to authorities on how to tackle these health inequalities.

Gypsies and Travellers have a life expectancy of over 10% less than the general population (10-12 years). Other health issues include such as high infant mortality rates, high maternal mortality rates are also seen to be prevalent in the Gypsy and Traveller communities.

Furthermore, the European Commission sees similar health inequalities with Roma; “a high prevalence of diabetes, cardiovascular disease...obesity, asthma and mental health issues such as stress, anxiety and depression”