New review says BAME groups at higher risk of dying from Covid-19

News - 4 June 2020

A new review has shown the risk of dying from Covid-19 is higher among Black and Asian Minority Ethnic Groups compared to white groups. Healthwatch awaits recommendations from these findings which will really benefit BAME staff and patients.
Covid BAME report

Although the Public Health England report published this week says the reasons for these health inequalities is complex, it also says infection is greater in urban areas and jobs in certain professions, such as nursing, caring and driving the public pose a higher risk.

See more here Covid-19 Disparities Review PHE

Some claim the report did not go far enough in explaining why BAME people are disproportionately affected.

Dr Saffron Karlsen, senior lecturer in social research at the University of Bristol, said: “The reasons for these poor living conditions, higher-risk jobs and co-morbidities are not explained.

“We are not told about the wealth of evidence documenting the ways in which those with minority ethnicities are persistently excluded from the education, employment and other opportunities which will enable them to attain good jobs or decent housing.”

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