The recently published report identifies major inequalities, with mortality risk higher among BAME people. Tara Pilkington brings you the key findings.
- The mortality risk from COVID-19 is higher among black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people. The Public Health England (PHE) review confirmsthat the risk of dying among those diagnosed with Covid-19 is higher in those in BAME groups than in white ethnic groups.
- After taking into account the effect of sex, age, deprivation and region, the report found that those of Bangladeshi ethnicity were at most risk, with around twice the risk of death than people of white British ethnicity.
- When adjusted for age, the highest diagnosis rates of Covid-19 were in people of Black ethnic groups and the lowest were in people of white ethnic groups.
- It is believed that a combination of factors are likely to explain the disproportionate effect of coronavirus on BAME people.
- While the report does not seek to reach a definitive conclusion on the cause for these results, it odes show that the relationship between ethnicity and health is complex.
- However, the report does say that BAME communities are likely to be at increased risk of infection because they are more likely to live in urban areas, in overcrowded households, in deprived areas and have jobs that expose them to higher risk.