The Experts below are selected from a list of 273534 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Martin Mckee - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
an examination of unmet health needs as perceived by Roma in central and eastern europe
European Journal of Public Health, 2016Co-Authors: Vishal S Arora, Charlotte Kuhlbrandt, Martin MckeeAbstract:Background : Roma comprise the largest ethnic minority in Europe, with an estimated population of 10–12 million. Roughly 50–60% of European Roma live in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. In this study, we set out to quantify and explain disparities in unmet health needs for Roma populations relative to non-Roma populations, using self-reported access to health care. Methods : The United Nations Development Programme/World Bank/European Commission 2011 regional Roma survey was used for this study (12 countries, 8735 Roma and 4572 non-Roma living in same communities), with self-reported unmet health need (did not consult a doctor or health professional when they felt it was necessary in past year) as the primary outcome. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to study the determinants of unmet health need for Roma populations relative to non-Roma populations. Covariates controlled for included sociodemographic characteristics, economic ability, health status and healthcare access. Results : We found in unadjusted models that Roma throughout Central and Eastern Europe, with the exception of Montenegro, are two to three times more likely to report having an unmet health need in the past 12 months than non-Roma living nearby. These disparities largely remain significant, even after adjusting for gender, age, marital status, employment status, education, number of chronic conditions, health insurance status and geographical proximity to medical providers. Conclusions : Controlling for conventional measures of access to medical care (i.e. geographic access to providers and health insurance) does not eliminate observed disparities in unmet need. Although improving funding and routine access to healthcare services for Roma is important in its own right as a means of increasing inclusion, there is a need for detailed assessments of the barriers that exist in each country, within and outside the health system, coupled with measures to implement existing commitments on Roma rights.
-
The Roma vaccination gap: Evidence from twelve countries in Central and South-East Europe
Vaccine, 2016Co-Authors: Laetitia Duval, François-charles Wolff, Martin Mckee, Bayard RobertsAbstract:Aim: To investigate differences in vaccination coverage between Roma and otherwise comparable non-Roma children, including factors associated with the vaccination gap, health care access and discrimination faced by Roma. Methods: We analyse data from the Roma Regional Survey 2011 implemented in twelve countries of Central and SouthEast Europe. Our sample comprises 8,233 children aged up to 6 with 7,072 Roma children and 1,161 non-Roma children. Estimates of the Roma vaccination gap are estimated using Logit regressions. Results: We find that the Roma children have a lower probability of being vaccinated compared to non-Roma (odds ratio = 0.325). The odds of being vaccinated for a Roma child is 33.9% that of a non-Roma child for DPT, 34.4% for Polio, 38.6% for MMR and 45.7% for BCG. These differences do not appear to be explained entirely by their worse socioeconomic status. The ethnic gap narrows by about 50% once individual characteristics are controlled for, with odds ratios of 0.548 for DPT, 0.559 for Polio, 0.598 for MMR and 0.704 for BCG. The probability of being vaccinated increases with access to health care, especially when Roma have a doctor to approach when needed. Conclusions: Our findings point out a large difference in vaccination coverage between Roma and non-Roma and support the need for better understanding of factors influencing vaccination among Roma as well as policies that might improve services for Roma in Central and SouthEast Europe.
-
an examination of Roma health insurance status in central and eastern europe
European Journal of Public Health, 2014Co-Authors: Charlotte Kuhlbrandt, Katharine Footman, Bernd Rechel, Martin MckeeAbstract:BACKGROUND: Roma in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) face problems in accessing health care, and a lack of access to statutory health insurance schemes is a key factor. This study seeks to quantify differences in health insurance coverage between Roma and non-Roma and assess whether variations can be explained by socio-economic factors. METHODS: Secondary household survey data collected in 12 CEE countries in 2011 were analysed. A univariate analysis assessed the effect of Roma status on insurance coverage by country. Multivariate analyses were used to progressively adjust for socio-demographic factors, employment status and income. Country-specific literature was drawn on to examine the context of the findings. RESULTS: Lack of insurance coverage for Roma populations varied considerably between countries, from 2.8% without insurance in Slovakia to 67.7% in Albania. Roma were significantly less likely to have health insurance than non-Roma in all countries except Slovakia and Serbia. The greatest differences in Roma and non-Roma insurance coverage were in Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania. When adjusting for employment status and income, the gap between Roma and non-Roma remained significant in Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Romania and Moldova. CONCLUSION: Roma are significantly less likely to have insurance coverage in most CEE countries, and this gap remains when adjusting for socio-economic differences between Roma and non-Roma in many countries. Much needs to be done to address the known barriers that Roma face in accessing insurance coverage, such as tackling problems related to documentation and the receipt of social benefits.
-
health needs of the Roma population in the czech and slovak republics
Social Science & Medicine, 2001Co-Authors: Helen Epstein, Ilona Koupilova, Jan Holcik, Steve Hajioff, Martin MckeeAbstract:In the growing literature on the human rights of Roma people in Central Europe, their relatively poor health status is often mentioned. However, little concrete information exists about the contemporary health status of the Roma in this region. We sought information on the health of the Roma in two of countries with significant Roma minorities, the Czech and Slovak Republics, by means of systematic searches for literature on the health of Roma people published in Czech or Slovak or by authors from the two countries. Published research on health of the Roma population is sparse. The topics that have received attention suggest a focus on concepts of contagion or social Darwinism, indicating a greater concern with the health needs of the majority populations with which they live. What limited evidence exists indicates that the health needs of the Roma population are considerable. With very few exceptions, the health status of Roma is worse than that of non-Roma population in both countries. The burden of communicable disease among Roma is high and diseases associated with poor hygiene seem to be particularly important. Evidence on health care suggests poor communication between Roma and health workers and low uptake of preventative care. The health needs of Roma lack visibility, not only because of the absence of research but also the absence of advocacy on their behalf. Since 1989, Czech and Slovak researchers have largely turned away from health research on particular ethnic groups. This probably reflects a growing sensitivity about stigmatising Roma, but it also makes it difficult to know how their circumstances might be improved. There is a need for further research into the health of Roma people with particular emphasis on non-communicable disease and for interventions that would improve their health.
Sijmen A. Reijneveld - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Roma Children Seem to Run More Risk than Non-Roma.
International journal of environmental research and public health, 2020Co-Authors: Simona Drobnakova, Jaroslav Rosenberger, Jitse P. Van Dijk, Andrea Madarasova Geckova, Veronika Vargova, Ingrid Schusterova, Daniel N. Klein, Sijmen A. ReijneveldAbstract:Background: Ethnic information regarding juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) exists for various populations across the world but is fully lacking for Roma. We assessed the occurrence and clinical characteristics of JIA in Roma vs. non-Roma children. Methods: We obtained data on all outpatients (n = 142) from a paediatric rheumatology centre (age 3 to 18 years) in the eastern part of Slovakia (Kosice region). We assessed patients’ age, gender, disease type and related extra-articular conditions by ethnicity. We obtained population data from the 2011 census. Results: The share of Roma children was higher in the clinical JIA sample than in the overall population (24.6%, n = 35, Roma in the sample vs. 10.8%, n = 142, Roma in the population, p < 0.05). Moreover, Roma children had been diagnosed more frequently with extra-articular conditions but did not differ in other symptoms. Treatments also did not differ by ethnicity. Conclusion: Roma children had been diagnosed more with JIA than their non-Roma peers. This calls for further research on the causes of this increased disease burden in Roma children.
-
Seven years' mortality in Roma and non-Roma patients after coronary angiography
European journal of public health, 2015Co-Authors: Adriana Sudzinova, Jaroslav Rosenberger, Iveta Nagyova, Jitse P. Van Dijk, Martin Studencan, H. Vargova, Berrie Middel, Sijmen A. ReijneveldAbstract:Background: Ethnicity is associated with differences in clinical course and outcomes of cardiac disease, often in association with a poorer socioeconomic position. The aim of this study was to compare the mortality after coronary angiography (CAG) of Roma and non-Roma patients matched for education and adjusted for gender and age. Methods: In total, 816 patients were included in the study (167 Roma and 649 non-Roma). Data on socio-demographic background, disease history, use of drugs, coronary findings and type of treatment were obtained from medical records. Mortality was assessed up to seven years after CAG. Kaplan–Meier curves of mortality were plotted, and differences between the Roma and non-Roma patients were assessed using log-rank tests, matched for education and adjusted for gender and age. Results: Mortality after CAG was significantly higher among Roma than non-Roma (log-rank test χ2 = 7.59, P < 0.01) and remained so after matching for education and adjustment for gender, age, history of previous myocardial infarction and abnormal CAG (hazard ratio: 2.07, 95% confidence interval: 1.13–3.82). Conclusion: Mortality after CAG is higher among Roma, and this is not due to differences in age, gender or education. These results warrant further reconsideration of the management of Roma cardiac patients.
-
Social support, hopelessness and life satisfaction among Roma and non-Roma adolescents in Slovakia.
International journal of public health, 2012Co-Authors: Peter Kolarcik, Sijmen A. Reijneveld, A. Madarasova Geckova, J. P. Van DijkAbstract:Objectives Evidence on the psychosocial determinants of health among Roma adolescents is completely lacking. Our aim was to compare social support, life satisfaction and hopelessness of Slovak Roma and non-Roma adolescents and to assess the impact of parental education and social desirability on these differences. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study among Roma from settlements in the eastern part of Slovakia (N = 330; mean age = 14.50; interview) and non-Roma adolescents (N = 722; mean age = 14.86; questionnaire). The effect of ethnicity on social support, life satisfaction and hopelessness was analysed using linear regression, adjusted for gender, parental education and social desirability. Results Roma adolescents reported higher social support from parents, higher life satisfaction and higher hopelessness rates. Parental education explained part of the ethnic differences, as did social desirability. After adjustment for the aforementioned factors, differences by ethnicity remained statistically significant. Conclusions Roma adolescents experience higher levels of social support, life satisfaction and hopelessness than non-Roma adolescents. Reduction of hopelessness feelings while maintaining levels of social support and life satisfaction among Roma adolescents should be a topic for both intervention and further research.
-
End-stage renal disease among Roma and non-Roma : Roma are at risk
International journal of public health, 2012Co-Authors: Gabriel Kolvek, Katarina Rosicova, Jaroslav Rosenberger, Ludmila Podracka, Roy E. Stewart, Iveta Nagyova, Sijmen A. Reijneveld, Jitse P. Van DijkAbstract:Objectives Ethnic differences in the occurrence of endstage renal disease (ESRD) are reported on various populations across the world, but evidence on Roma is lacking. The aim of this study was to explore the relative risk (RR) of ESRD for Roma who constitute a major minority in Slovakia. Methods Patients treated by means of hemodialysis during 2005–2008 were questioned for their ethnicity. Rates of ESRD among Roma and non-Roma based on hemodialysis data were calculated as well as the RR of Roma for ESRD. The latter was repeated after standardization for differences in age of both populations. Results Roma represented 11.6 % of all hemodialyzed patients. The RR of ESRD for Roma was 1.34, compared to the majority population. After age standardization, the RR for Roma was 2.85. Conclusion This study shows that the risk for ESRD is significantly higher for Roma than for non-Roma. A genetic propensity of Roma to renal failure may partially explain the higher risk. Moreover, a poorer control of risk factors for ESRD in Slovak Roma contributes to the increased risk.
-
Predictors of health-endangering behaviour among Roma and non-Roma adolescents in Slovakia by gender.
Journal of epidemiology and community health, 2009Co-Authors: Peter Kolarcik, Andrea Madarasova Geckova, Olga Orosova, J. P. Van Dijk, Sijmen A. ReijneveldAbstract:Background Roma people are commonly described as having an unhealthy lifestyle—for example, an unhealthy diet, intensive smoking, frequent alcohol consumption and a lack of physical activity. However, data about such health-endangering behaviours among Roma adolescents are scarce and of poor quality. The aim of our study is to assess the occurrence of health-endangering behaviours among Slovak Roma adolescents in comparison to non-Roma adolescents, and to assess the impact of parental education and social desirability on the differences found. Methods A cross-sectional study among Roma from separated and segregated settlements in the eastern part of Slovakia (n=330; mean age 14.50 years; interview) and non-Roma adolescents (n=722; mean age 14.86 years; questionnaire) was conducted. The effect of ethnicity and parental education on smoking, drunkenness, drug use and physical activity was analysed separately for boys and girls using logistic regression and adjusted for social desirability. Results Among girls, Roma adolescents had lower rates of smoking, drunkenness and drug use than non-Roma (ORs from 0.14 to 0.60 compared to non-Roma), but had higher rates of physical inactivity. Among boys, drug use was less frequent among Roma adolescents (OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.46); differences for the other health-endangering behaviours were small and statistically insignificant. The effects of parental education and social desirability were small. Conclusions In contrast to the scarce evidence, Roma had lower rates of substance abuse, especially among girls. Only physical inactivity rates were higher among Roma girls. A challenge in health promotion among Roma is to maintain their relatively low substance use and to promote physical activity.
Jitse P. Van Dijk - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Roma Children Seem to Run More Risk than Non-Roma.
International journal of environmental research and public health, 2020Co-Authors: Simona Drobnakova, Jaroslav Rosenberger, Jitse P. Van Dijk, Andrea Madarasova Geckova, Veronika Vargova, Ingrid Schusterova, Daniel N. Klein, Sijmen A. ReijneveldAbstract:Background: Ethnic information regarding juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) exists for various populations across the world but is fully lacking for Roma. We assessed the occurrence and clinical characteristics of JIA in Roma vs. non-Roma children. Methods: We obtained data on all outpatients (n = 142) from a paediatric rheumatology centre (age 3 to 18 years) in the eastern part of Slovakia (Kosice region). We assessed patients’ age, gender, disease type and related extra-articular conditions by ethnicity. We obtained population data from the 2011 census. Results: The share of Roma children was higher in the clinical JIA sample than in the overall population (24.6%, n = 35, Roma in the sample vs. 10.8%, n = 142, Roma in the population, p < 0.05). Moreover, Roma children had been diagnosed more frequently with extra-articular conditions but did not differ in other symptoms. Treatments also did not differ by ethnicity. Conclusion: Roma children had been diagnosed more with JIA than their non-Roma peers. This calls for further research on the causes of this increased disease burden in Roma children.
-
Health Differences between Roma and Non-Roma in the Slovak Dialyzed Population
International journal of environmental research and public health, 2018Co-Authors: Gabriel Kolvek, Jaroslav Rosenberger, Zuzana Straussova, Maria Majernikova, Jitse P. Van DijkAbstract:Background: Roma health has not been studied systematically. Thus far, it has been shown that Roma compared to non-Roma have a significantly higher likelihood of getting end-stage renal disease and that their chances for survival on dialysis are lower. Evidence is lacking regarding morbidity between Roma and non-Roma. The aim was to compare the health status of dialyzed Roma and non-Roma using the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). All Slovak dialysis centers for adults were asked to fill in a questionaire with demographic and clinical data, including comorbidity. Cross-sectional analysis of 2082 patients with an average age of 63.8 ± 13.8 years was performed. Comorbidity was expressed as the CCI, and ethnic differences were calculated. Linear regression was performed to adjust for differences in gender and age in both ethnic groups. Roma represented 13.0% of the whole dialyzed population (n = 270). Comorbidity expressed as CCI was significantly lower in the Roma population (p < 0.001). After adjusting for gender and age, ethnicity failed to be associated with the CCI in the linear regression analysis (p = 0.965, variance of the model—adjusted R2 38.6%). The health status of dialyzed Slovak Roma does not differ cross-sectionally when adjusted for age and gender from the health status of dialyzed non-Roma.
-
Seven years' mortality in Roma and non-Roma patients after coronary angiography
European journal of public health, 2015Co-Authors: Adriana Sudzinova, Jaroslav Rosenberger, Iveta Nagyova, Jitse P. Van Dijk, Martin Studencan, H. Vargova, Berrie Middel, Sijmen A. ReijneveldAbstract:Background: Ethnicity is associated with differences in clinical course and outcomes of cardiac disease, often in association with a poorer socioeconomic position. The aim of this study was to compare the mortality after coronary angiography (CAG) of Roma and non-Roma patients matched for education and adjusted for gender and age. Methods: In total, 816 patients were included in the study (167 Roma and 649 non-Roma). Data on socio-demographic background, disease history, use of drugs, coronary findings and type of treatment were obtained from medical records. Mortality was assessed up to seven years after CAG. Kaplan–Meier curves of mortality were plotted, and differences between the Roma and non-Roma patients were assessed using log-rank tests, matched for education and adjusted for gender and age. Results: Mortality after CAG was significantly higher among Roma than non-Roma (log-rank test χ2 = 7.59, P < 0.01) and remained so after matching for education and adjustment for gender, age, history of previous myocardial infarction and abnormal CAG (hazard ratio: 2.07, 95% confidence interval: 1.13–3.82). Conclusion: Mortality after CAG is higher among Roma, and this is not due to differences in age, gender or education. These results warrant further reconsideration of the management of Roma cardiac patients.
-
End-stage renal disease among Roma and non-Roma : Roma are at risk
International journal of public health, 2012Co-Authors: Gabriel Kolvek, Katarina Rosicova, Jaroslav Rosenberger, Ludmila Podracka, Roy E. Stewart, Iveta Nagyova, Sijmen A. Reijneveld, Jitse P. Van DijkAbstract:Objectives Ethnic differences in the occurrence of endstage renal disease (ESRD) are reported on various populations across the world, but evidence on Roma is lacking. The aim of this study was to explore the relative risk (RR) of ESRD for Roma who constitute a major minority in Slovakia. Methods Patients treated by means of hemodialysis during 2005–2008 were questioned for their ethnicity. Rates of ESRD among Roma and non-Roma based on hemodialysis data were calculated as well as the RR of Roma for ESRD. The latter was repeated after standardization for differences in age of both populations. Results Roma represented 11.6 % of all hemodialyzed patients. The RR of ESRD for Roma was 1.34, compared to the majority population. After age standardization, the RR for Roma was 2.85. Conclusion This study shows that the risk for ESRD is significantly higher for Roma than for non-Roma. A genetic propensity of Roma to renal failure may partially explain the higher risk. Moreover, a poorer control of risk factors for ESRD in Slovak Roma contributes to the increased risk.
Font-porterias Neus - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
European Roma groups show complex West Eurasian admixture footprints and a common South Asian genetic origin
'Public Library of Science (PLoS)', 2020Co-Authors: Font-porterias Neus, Poveda Alaitz, Bianco Erica, Rebato Esther, Prata, Maria Joao, Arauna, Laura R., Calafell Francesc, Comas DavidAbstract:The Roma population is the largest transnational ethnic minority in Europe, characterized by a linguistic, cultural and historical heterogeneity. Comparative linguistics and genetic studies have placed the origin of European Roma in the Northwest of India. After their migration across Persia, they entered into the Balkan Peninsula, from where they spread into Europe, arriving in the Iberian Peninsula in the 15th century. Their particular demographic history has genetic implications linked to rare and common diseases. However, the South Asian source of the proto-Roma remains still untargeted and the West Eurasian Roma component has not been yet deeply characterized. Here, in order to describe both the South Asian and West Eurasian ancestries, we analyze previously published genome-wide data of 152 European Roma and 34 new Iberian Roma samples at a fine-scale and haplotype-based level, with special focus on the Iberian Roma genetic substructure. Our results suggest that the putative origin of the proto-Roma involves a Punjabi group with low levels of West Eurasian ancestry. In addition, we have identified a complex West Eurasian component (around 65%) in the Roma, as a result of the admixture events occurred with non-proto-Roma populations between 1270-1580. Particularly, we have detected the Balkan genetic footprint in all European Roma, and the Baltic and Iberian components in the Northern and Western Roma groups, respectively. Finally, our results show genetic substructure within the Iberian Roma, with different levels of West Eurasian admixture, as a result of the complex historical events occurred in the Peninsula.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (grant number CGL2016-75389-P (MINEICO/FEDER, UE) and “Unidad María de Maeztu” (MDM-2014-0370) to DC and FC; and Agència de Gestió d’Ajuts Universitaris i de la Recerca (Generalitat de Catalunya, grant 2017SGR00702). NF-P was supported by a FPU17/03501 fellowship
-
European Roma groups show complex West Eurasian admixture footprints and a common South Asian genetic origin
'Public Library of Science (PLoS)', 2019Co-Authors: Font-porterias Neus, Arauna, Lara R, Poveda Alaitz, Bianco Erica, Rebato Esther, Prata, Maria Joao, Calafell Majó I Francesc, Comas, David 1969-Abstract:The Roma population is the largest transnational ethnic minority in Europe, characterized by a linguistic, cultural and historical heterogeneity. Comparative linguistics and genetic studies have placed the origin of European Roma in the Northwest of India. After their migration across Persia, they entered into the Balkan Peninsula, from where they spread into Europe, arriving in the Iberian Peninsula in the 15th century. Their particular demographic history has genetic implications linked to rare and common diseases. However, the South Asian source of the proto-Roma remains still untargeted and the West Eurasian Roma component has not been yet deeply characterized. Here, in order to describe both the South Asian and West Eurasian ancestries, we analyze previously published genome-wide data of 152 European Roma and 34 new Iberian Roma samples at a fine-scale and haplotype-based level, with special focus on the Iberian Roma genetic substructure. Our results suggest that the putative origin of the proto-Roma involves a Punjabi group with low levels of West Eurasian ancestry. In addition, we have identified a complex West Eurasian component (around 65%) in the Roma, as a result of the admixture events occurred with non-proto-Roma populations between 1270-1580. Particularly, we have detected the Balkan genetic footprint in all European Roma, and the Baltic and Iberian components in the Northern and Western Roma groups, respectively. Finally, our results show genetic substructure within the Iberian Roma, with different levels of West Eurasian admixture, as a result of the complex historical events occurred in the Peninsula
-
European Roma groups show complex West Eurasian admixture footprints and a common South Asian genetic origin
'Public Library of Science (PLoS)', 2019Co-Authors: Font-porterias Neus, Arauna, Lara R, Poveda Alaitz, Bianco Erica, Prata, Maria Joao, Calafell Francesc, Rebato Ochoa, Esther Matilde, Comas DavidAbstract:Author summary Human demographic processes and admixture events leave traceable footprints in the genomes of the populations and they can modulate the genetic architecture of complex diseases. Here, we aim to study the Roma people, an admixed population with a particular demographic history recognized as the largest ethnic minority in Europe. Previous studies suggest that they originated in South Asia 1,500 years ago and followed a diaspora towards Europe with extensive admixture with non-Roma West Eurasian groups. However, the genetic components of the Roma have not been deeply characterized. Our study reveals a common South Asian origin of all European Roma, closely related to a Punjabi group from Northwestern India. Through fine-scale haplotype-based methods, we describe a complex West Eurasian genetic component in the Roma groups, identifying a common Balkan ancestry and country-specific admixture footprints consistent with the dispersion through Europe. Our findings provide new insights into the demographic history and recent admixture events that have shaped the genetic composition of European Roma groups and could enable a better genetic characterization of complex disease in this population. The Roma population is the largest transnational ethnic minority in Europe, characterized by a linguistic, cultural and historical heterogeneity. Comparative linguistics and genetic studies have placed the origin of European Roma in the Northwest of India. After their migration across Persia, they entered into the Balkan Peninsula, from where they spread into Europe, arriving in the Iberian Peninsula in the 15th century. Their particular demographic history has genetic implications linked to rare and common diseases. However, the South Asian source of the proto-Roma remains still untargeted and the West Eurasian Roma component has not been yet deeply characterized. Here, in order to describe both the South Asian and West Eurasian ancestries, we analyze previously published genome-wide data of 152 European Roma and 34 new Iberian Roma samples at a fine-scale and haplotype-based level, with special focus on the Iberian Roma genetic substructure. Our results suggest that the putative origin of the proto-Roma involves a Punjabi group with low levels of West Eurasian ancestry. In addition, we have identified a complex West Eurasian component (around 65%) in the Roma, as a result of the admixture events occurred with non-proto-Roma populations between 1270-1580. Particularly, we have detected the Balkan genetic footprint in all European Roma, and the Baltic and Iberian components in the Northern and Western Roma groups, respectively. Finally, our results show genetic substructure within the Iberian Roma, with different levels of West Eurasian admixture, as a result of the complex historical events occurred in the Peninsula.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (grant number CGL2016-75389-P and "Unidad Maria de Maeztu" (MDM-2014-0370) to DC and FC; and Agencia de Gestio d'Ajuts Universitaris i de la Recerca (Generalitat de Catalunya, grant 2017SGR00702). NF-P was supported by a FPU17/03501 fellowship. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript
Comas David - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
European Roma groups show complex West Eurasian admixture footprints and a common South Asian genetic origin
'Public Library of Science (PLoS)', 2020Co-Authors: Font-porterias Neus, Poveda Alaitz, Bianco Erica, Rebato Esther, Prata, Maria Joao, Arauna, Laura R., Calafell Francesc, Comas DavidAbstract:The Roma population is the largest transnational ethnic minority in Europe, characterized by a linguistic, cultural and historical heterogeneity. Comparative linguistics and genetic studies have placed the origin of European Roma in the Northwest of India. After their migration across Persia, they entered into the Balkan Peninsula, from where they spread into Europe, arriving in the Iberian Peninsula in the 15th century. Their particular demographic history has genetic implications linked to rare and common diseases. However, the South Asian source of the proto-Roma remains still untargeted and the West Eurasian Roma component has not been yet deeply characterized. Here, in order to describe both the South Asian and West Eurasian ancestries, we analyze previously published genome-wide data of 152 European Roma and 34 new Iberian Roma samples at a fine-scale and haplotype-based level, with special focus on the Iberian Roma genetic substructure. Our results suggest that the putative origin of the proto-Roma involves a Punjabi group with low levels of West Eurasian ancestry. In addition, we have identified a complex West Eurasian component (around 65%) in the Roma, as a result of the admixture events occurred with non-proto-Roma populations between 1270-1580. Particularly, we have detected the Balkan genetic footprint in all European Roma, and the Baltic and Iberian components in the Northern and Western Roma groups, respectively. Finally, our results show genetic substructure within the Iberian Roma, with different levels of West Eurasian admixture, as a result of the complex historical events occurred in the Peninsula.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (grant number CGL2016-75389-P (MINEICO/FEDER, UE) and “Unidad María de Maeztu” (MDM-2014-0370) to DC and FC; and Agència de Gestió d’Ajuts Universitaris i de la Recerca (Generalitat de Catalunya, grant 2017SGR00702). NF-P was supported by a FPU17/03501 fellowship
-
European Roma groups show complex West Eurasian admixture footprints and a common South Asian genetic origin
'Public Library of Science (PLoS)', 2019Co-Authors: Font-porterias Neus, Arauna, Lara R, Poveda Alaitz, Bianco Erica, Prata, Maria Joao, Calafell Francesc, Rebato Ochoa, Esther Matilde, Comas DavidAbstract:Author summary Human demographic processes and admixture events leave traceable footprints in the genomes of the populations and they can modulate the genetic architecture of complex diseases. Here, we aim to study the Roma people, an admixed population with a particular demographic history recognized as the largest ethnic minority in Europe. Previous studies suggest that they originated in South Asia 1,500 years ago and followed a diaspora towards Europe with extensive admixture with non-Roma West Eurasian groups. However, the genetic components of the Roma have not been deeply characterized. Our study reveals a common South Asian origin of all European Roma, closely related to a Punjabi group from Northwestern India. Through fine-scale haplotype-based methods, we describe a complex West Eurasian genetic component in the Roma groups, identifying a common Balkan ancestry and country-specific admixture footprints consistent with the dispersion through Europe. Our findings provide new insights into the demographic history and recent admixture events that have shaped the genetic composition of European Roma groups and could enable a better genetic characterization of complex disease in this population. The Roma population is the largest transnational ethnic minority in Europe, characterized by a linguistic, cultural and historical heterogeneity. Comparative linguistics and genetic studies have placed the origin of European Roma in the Northwest of India. After their migration across Persia, they entered into the Balkan Peninsula, from where they spread into Europe, arriving in the Iberian Peninsula in the 15th century. Their particular demographic history has genetic implications linked to rare and common diseases. However, the South Asian source of the proto-Roma remains still untargeted and the West Eurasian Roma component has not been yet deeply characterized. Here, in order to describe both the South Asian and West Eurasian ancestries, we analyze previously published genome-wide data of 152 European Roma and 34 new Iberian Roma samples at a fine-scale and haplotype-based level, with special focus on the Iberian Roma genetic substructure. Our results suggest that the putative origin of the proto-Roma involves a Punjabi group with low levels of West Eurasian ancestry. In addition, we have identified a complex West Eurasian component (around 65%) in the Roma, as a result of the admixture events occurred with non-proto-Roma populations between 1270-1580. Particularly, we have detected the Balkan genetic footprint in all European Roma, and the Baltic and Iberian components in the Northern and Western Roma groups, respectively. Finally, our results show genetic substructure within the Iberian Roma, with different levels of West Eurasian admixture, as a result of the complex historical events occurred in the Peninsula.This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (grant number CGL2016-75389-P and "Unidad Maria de Maeztu" (MDM-2014-0370) to DC and FC; and Agencia de Gestio d'Ajuts Universitaris i de la Recerca (Generalitat de Catalunya, grant 2017SGR00702). NF-P was supported by a FPU17/03501 fellowship. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript