Illness behavior and cultural characteristics of the gypsy population in Spain

Gypsy population constitutes the most important ethnic minority in Spain (more than 2% of population). Our country has the third largest gypsy population in the world. Although their presence among us dates from more than 600 years ago and their culture and their health needs are very different from ours, lack of interest about this group of population has been important. The growing migration process that has happened in our country during the last years has also produced an increasing concern about the health needs of gypsies. This paper aims to summarize the scarce present medical and anthropological knowledge on gypsies. The aim is to provide the health professionals with minimal skills to avoid possible prejudices towards this ethnic group and provide them high quality health care.