Pavee Point Health Team and the Irish Heart Foundation held a health day in Finglas on Monday the 7th of September. The Heart Foundation Roadshow set up in Avila Park and Cappagh Field so Travellers could have blood pressure checks. About 70 Travellers attended the checks and 23 out of the 70 were referred to their local doctor for further advice.
Nurses also gave information on healthy eating and exercise. While it was mainly Traveller men that availed of the blood pressure checks Traveller women from both sites also took up the offer of checks.
Our Geels – the All Ireland Traveller Health Study 2007 – 2010 identified heart disease as one of the major causes of death among Travellers.