Dialogic scientific gatherings: promoting inclusive health participation and communication among non-academic Roma women

TL;DR

Dialogic Scientific Gatherings help non-academic Roma women engage with health topics, promoting inclusive communication and informed decisions.

Contribution

This study is the first to implement and evaluate Dialogic Scientific Gatherings with non-academic Roma women.

Findings

DSG sessions enabled collective meaning-making around health topics relevant to Roma women.

Discussions on sedentary behavior, diet, and social ties helped challenge stereotypes and promote health awareness.

The approach fostered an environment for informed health decision-making among participants.

Abstract

There is evidence that Dialogic Scientific Gatherings (DSG) are an effective intervention for inclusive health communication, demonstrating a positive impact on promoting healthy habits. This is particularly relevant for groups that typically face more health issues due to socioeconomic and educational inequalities. However, the implementation of DSG with non-academic Roma women, one of the groups historically suffering from these inequalities, has not yet been studied. To address this knowledge gap, within the framework of the ROM21 “Roma Women Leading Communities’ Transformation” research project, four DSG sessions were co-created with non-academic Roma women, in collaboration with a Roma women’s association and the research team. The DSG sessions focused on health topics chosen by the participants themselves. The analysis of the interventions by Roma women in the DSG revealed that these sessions provided a space for the collective creation of meaning and knowledge on health topics that concern them. This contributed to overcoming stereotypes about their lack of interest in evidence-based health information that promotes healthy habits. Topics discussed included the relationship between sedentary behavior and diet with diseases such as cancer and childhood obesity, as well as the connection between social ties and mental health. These discussions facilitated an environment conducive to informed health decisions among non-academic Roma women.