Social exclusion as a determining health factor of the Roma population.
INTRODUCTION Poverty, social inequality and marginalization of certain population groups cause the exclusion of these groups from the society and the benefits provided by the social relations of the community. GOAL The goal of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of social exclusion of the Roma population in the local community and to determine how this exclusion affects the health status of the population. MATERIAL AND METHODS Included-survey, medical examination and laboratory testing of full blood, blood glucose and markers of hepatitis B on 612 Roma. The data obtained are compared to those of the general population of the local community. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION The social exclusion of the Roma population in the local community causes its significantly worse health status. Infectious diseases caused by poor hygienic conditions in Roma settlements and chronic diseases caused by stress, inadequate nutrition and poor housing conditions occur 5-20 times more frequently than in the general population.