Time Bomb for Roma

HIV infection rates in Central Europe have dramatically increased in recent years, according to the UN. Among those in the Czech Republic living with HIV, the Roma make up a disproportionately large number. Factors making them more vulnerable to contracting the disease include: They are far more likely to be poor, women are generally disempowered, parents and children rarely talk about sexual matters, alcohol abuse is high, and condom use is extremely low.

This article, which originally appeared in the OSI-supported publication Transitions Online, looks at the issue of Roma and HIV in the Czech Republic, and some of the attempts to address it.