Experts outline how to reduce COVID-19 health inequalities for ethnic minority groups
An international collaborative led by Swag直播 and the University of Leicester has published a new paper which outlines how to reduce COVID-19 health inequity among ethnic minority groups.
The paper, commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) and published in , builds on research already completed by both institutions during the pandemic which demonstrated that ethnic minority groups were disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
The paper brings together all of the available evidence, along with international experts in the field, to summarise why people from ethnic minority groups were more likely to be infected and die during the pandemic.
Researchers highlighted that ethnic minority groups were more likely to be exposed to those who were infectious with COVID-19 because a high proportion were employed in key worker roles, making it more likely that they would themselves become infected. They also showed that certain ethnic minority groups were more likely to die once infected due to barriers in receiving adequate healthcare, such as delayed diagnosis and treatment due to job insecurity and financial issues, and in some cases language barriers.
In addition, the research showed they were more likely to suffer from social and economic consequences 鈥� for example the inability to isolate once infected and in some cases the lack of adequate healthcare to meet their needs.
The authors state that ethnic minority groups were disadvantaged from the start due to longstanding health inequities caused by systemic racism and racial discrimination. Furthermore, the reasons for ethnic inequities in COVID-19 infection, severe disease and death are interconnected.
The paper aims to provide a blueprint for policymakers and researchers to address these inequities so that they can be better prepared for future pandemics.
It states that a 鈥榦ne size fits all鈥� approach to intervention does not work and that cultural, social and language barriers must be overcome along with other socio-economic issues.
There is clear evidence of inequities in COVID-19 health outcomes for ethnic minority groups,. This research is of timely importance given the UK鈥檚 ongoing COVID-19 public inquiry, and there are clear opportunities to address racism and racial discrimination, to reduce inequity.
鈥淭his framework is the first of its kind to specifically address inequities during a pandemic,鈥� said Dr Daniel Pan from the University of Leicester, the paper鈥檚 co-lead author who is a specialist registrar in Infectious Diseases and General Internal Medicine and a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Doctoral Research Fellow. 鈥淭he recommendations aim to ensure ethnic inequalities in treatment do not occur in future.
鈥淭he COVID-19 pandemic won鈥檛 be the last and steps need to be taken now to reduce the inevitable consequences of the next pandemic on ethnic minority groups. We know that innovative approaches are required but if we plan for these, they can be overcome.鈥�
鈥淭he COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted and amplified health inequalities for ethnic minority groups,鈥� said Professor of Clinical Infectious Diseases Manish Pareek from the University of Leicester, the paper鈥檚 senior author.
鈥淚t is important that we learn lessons from the pandemic and this work, in collaboration with international experts and the WHO, provides guidance on how to reduce the disproportionate impact on ethnic minority groups for future pandemics.鈥�