Conceptualization of Roma in Policy Documents Related to Social Inclusion and Health in the Czech Republic
1
Olomouc University Social Health Institute, Theological Faculty, Palacky University Olomouc, 771 11 Olomouc, Czech Republic
2
Department of Health Psychology and Research Methodology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University, 040 01 Kosice, Slovakia
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(21), 7739; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17217739
Received: 30 September 2020 / Revised: 19 October 2020 / Accepted: 20 October 2020 / Published: 22 October 2020
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Roma Health Disadvantage)
In the Czech Republic, a number of strategy papers and policy documents are guiding the direction of Roma inclusion, including in the area of health. The conceptualization of Roma and how mainstream political and public discourse operate with the term “Roma” contribute to a mistakenly homogenous and harmful image of Roma that conforms to negative stereotypes. The aim of our study was to examine the conceptualization of Roma in policy documents related to social inclusion and health in the Czech Republic. Relevant political, strategic and project documents were selected for analysis. Emphasis is placed in them on individual responsibility in relation to health, while structural conditions and discrimination are mentioned less often. Roma are described in relation to health primarily as people who should be educated. More emphasis is placed on the economic benefits of eliminating health inequalities than on citizens’ rights and the importance of inclusion. When “participation” or “empowerment” is mentioned, it is done vaguely, usually in addition to references to completely non-participatory practices. The majority is the primary actor in the field of eliminating health inequalities, as it defines the “path” that Roma need to be shown or determines what is needed to “stimulate” citizens. Although the political discourse concerning Roma has shifted more towards human rights, equity and combating discrimination in the Czech Republic, subtle forms of anti-Gypsyism still seem to be present.
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MDPI and ACS Style
Slepickova, L.; Bobakova, D.F. Conceptualization of Roma in Policy Documents Related to Social Inclusion and Health in the Czech Republic. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 7739. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17217739
AMA Style
Slepickova L, Bobakova DF. Conceptualization of Roma in Policy Documents Related to Social Inclusion and Health in the Czech Republic. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17(21):7739. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17217739
Chicago/Turabian StyleSlepickova, Lenka; Bobakova, Daniela F. 2020. "Conceptualization of Roma in Policy Documents Related to Social Inclusion and Health in the Czech Republic" Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 17, no. 21: 7739. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17217739
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