Welcome to Pavee Point’s microsite for the All-Ireland Traveller Health Study, now due for publication on 2 September 2010. This site will track progress of, and issues with, the AITHS. For Traveller Organisations, this site will be an important port of call for new information on the study.

News: RTÉ Nationwide covers the AITHS in May 2009

About the Study

The All-Ireland Traveller Health Study (AITHS) is an important programme to monitor the health and healthcare needs of Travellers across the island of Ireland. It has been achieved through years of lobbying by Travellers and Traveller organisations. Funded by the Department of Health and Children in the Republic of Ireland, and by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland, the study is being conducted by University College Dublin. The major piece of work in the study affecting Travellers directly will be known as the Traveller Census.

NEW:  Leaflet released.

A leaflet, available in Adobe PDF format, explains the aims and objectives of the study, and encourages Traveller families to take part.  Get it here.

Aims

The study will assess the health service provision to Travellers, examine the health status of Travellers, and identify the factors which influence Health Status and mortality, in order to develop campaigns and projects supporting Traveller health.

Why Travellers should support the Census

It is well understood that Travellers experience difficulties accessing healthcare, and that they suffer ill-health much more frequently than the settled population. This study will assess the health of the population and help Traveller organisations to effectively run campaigns to improve access and support Travellers with preventative healthcare. It is vital that every Traveller in Ireland knows that the Census is happening, and that they know what’s involved.

What the study will involve

The Census will consist mostly of a survey, conducted by Travellers, using a small portable computer. The computer is important to ensure that the experience of the survey is the same across the country, and to ensure that the survey is as simple and quick as possible. The survey will use text, sound commentary and pictures together, to make it easy and fast to complete. The survey has been designed in a culturally appropriate way, and will be undertaken by Travellers themselves.

The Questions

Not every participant will be asked the same set of questions. All will answer the core Census questions, whilst some will be asked questions about Health services. The decision on which set of questions will be asked is made at random by the computer program used to run the study.

Data Security

Information from the Census will never be released in a way which could make individuals or families recognisable. UCD and the people conducting the research are bound by very strict rules to prevent them misusing or releasing information in any way which could identify individuals or families. Because of the type of study, names will never be released.

Other parts of the Study

While the Study is being carried out, other pieces of research will be done by UCD. These will not require extra surveys. There will be a study of life expectancy and the age at which people die. There will also be a survey of births and the health of babies.

The Outcomes

As the study progresses, update reports will be available from Traveller Health Network and online at http://pavee.ie/ourgeels There will be information releases time to  time as the study becomes more complete.