A/HRC/62/55/Add.1 affecting Muslims and people of African descent among the European Union countries surveyed.15 62. The Special Rapporteur is concerned that such discrimination is not limited to access to viewings, but may persist throughout the housing process, including in rental negotiations, contract conditions and security of tenure. She also received information suggesting that individuals from marginalized racial and ethnic groups may face barriers in accessing affordable and quality housing, which can contribute to patterns of spatial segregation and unequal living conditions. Discrimination in housing has far-reaching consequences, as it affects not only living standards but also access to employment, education and essential services, thereby reinforcing broader patterns of social and economic exclusion. 63. The Special Rapporteur welcomes the awareness shown by multiple government officials of racism in access to housing, particularly within the private housing market, as well as the work of equality bodies to implement relevant provisions of the Equal Treatment Act. However, she emphasizes that addressing housing discrimination requires strengthened enforcement mechanisms, improved access to remedies for victims and proactive measures to prevent discriminatory practices, including through monitoring, testing and engagement with landlords and real estate actors. She further notes that the lack of disaggregated data on housing outcomes limits the ability to fully assess disparities and to design targeted policy responses. She therefore encourages Austria to strengthen its efforts to ensure equal access to adequate housing for all. 7. Healthcare 64. The Special Rapporteur received reports of racial bias within the healthcare system affecting Muslims, Roma and Sinti communities and people of African descent. She was informed of instances in which healthcare providers displayed discriminatory attitudes, including towards children, and in which patients did not receive adequate or appropriate care due to bias related to skin colour or perceived ethnic or religious background. The Special Rapporteur is concerned that such experiences may reflect broader structural inequalities within the healthcare system, including implicit bias and gaps in culturally competent care. She is concerned by findings of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights indicating comparatively high levels of discrimination in access to healthcare reported by people of African descent and Muslims in Austria. 16 In addition, she received reports of deteriorating health conditions among Roma and Sinti women, linked to barriers in accessing timely and appropriate healthcare services. 65. The Special Rapporteur is concerned that discrimination in healthcare may manifest not only in interpersonal interactions but also in structural barriers, including language obstacles, lack of culturally appropriate services, limited outreach to marginalized communities and strong prejudices. Such barriers can lead to delayed treatment, reduced trust in healthcare providers and poorer health outcomes. Discrimination in healthcare settings can also intersect with other forms of disadvantage, including gender and socioeconomic status, further compounding inequalities. 66. In this respect, the Special Rapporteur welcomes information received about measures taken by Länder governments to help signpost individuals to healthcare services, as well as federal initiatives, such as multilingual health information materials and targeted outreach to Roma women. While commending these efforts, she considers that further targeted and systemic measures are required to address disparities in access and outcomes. She emphasizes the importance of mandatory anti-racism and cultural competence training for all medical and support staff, as well as the integration of diversity and non-discrimination considerations into formal medical education. The Special Rapporteur also encourages Austria to conduct strengthened monitoring of any forms of racial discrimination in healthcare access and outcomes, including through improved disaggregated data collection, to support evidence-based and inclusive health policies. 15 16 16 Ibid. and European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights Agency, Being Black in the EU. European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights Agency, Being Black in the EU and Being Muslim in the EU.