Covid: Health disparities improve but some minority groups still at risk

The Government is ramping up its drive to tackle Covid-19 vaccine misinformation and low uptake rates among people from minority ethnic communities, as new data shows pandemic disparities have improved for some groups but not others. 

The second quarterly report by the Race Disparity Unit (RDU) on tackling Covid inequalities found disparities had improved for Black Africans, Black Caribbeans, Chinese and Indians, but worsened for Pakistanis and Bangladeshis.

Professor Nita Forouhi from the MRC Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge said the differences suggested it was “unhelpful” to consider ethnic groups as a single category of BAME (Black, Asian and minority ethnic).

“The lower Covid-19 death rates in the early second wave in some groups shows that ethnic inequalities are not fixed but are mainly driven by risk of infection and amenable to change,” Forouhi said. 

“The persistent Covid-19 impact in South Asians, particularly Pakistanis and Bangladeshis, is alarming and needs targeted research and bold public health and policy action.” 

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The virus has disproportionately hit people from minority ethnic groups, with mortality for Black African or Black Caribbean ethnicity at least two times higher than that of white people in 2020. 

But the new report found the direct impacts of Covid had improved for ethnic minorities as a whole during November’s second wave, with work underway to consider why there had been a disproportionate effect on Pakistanis and Bangladeshis.

The report added that deprivation continued to be a “major driver of disparities” and ethnic minorities should not be considered a single group facing similar risk levels. 

The NHS is "failing" people from ethnic minority backgrounds, the most extensive study yet has shown https://t.co/UXwnk9rt3l

— Big Issue (@BigIssue) January 30, 2021

More than 18 million people have received their first dose of the coronavirus vaccine in the UK, but those from minority ethnic groups are less likely to have the jab than their white counterparts. 

The latest OpenSAFELY study, led by Oxford University and  London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, showed approximately 60 per cent of black people over 70 had been vaccinated compared to 75 per cent of South Asians and 90 per cent of white people. 

The Government will now work with dozens of ethnic minority media outlets to reach millions of people who speak different languages and try to tackle misinformation and boost vaccine confidence. 

We are working hard across govt to increase vaccine confidence. Thank you to the @Conservatives and @UKLabour MPs who took part in our cross-party video to encourage vaccine take-up across the black community pic.twitter.com/7qnR5k4zKB

— Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) January 27, 2021

Equalities minister Kemi Badenoch emphasised the importance of vaccines and called on people to take them up when offered. 

“The latest data shows that this is not a one-size-fits-all situation,” Badenoch said. 

“Outcomes have improved for some ethnic minority groups since the first wave, but we know some communities are still particularly vulnerable. 

“Our response will continue to be driven by the latest evidence and data and targeted at those who are most at risk.

“There is light at the end of the tunnel, and as the vaccine rollout continues, I urge everyone who is offered one to take the opportunity, to protect themselves, their family, and their community.”

But Labour criticised the Government for being to slow to act on the “devastating and disproportionate” impact of Covid on minority ethnic communities.

“The Government must now ensure its vaccine programme reaches every community and addresses the long-standing mistrust and health inequalities that contribute to low take-up,” said Marsha de Cordova MP, shadow women and equalities Secretary.

“It must also recognise that the key drivers of the disproportionate impact – such as profession and where you live – are led by structural racism. We need a clear strategy now to tackle these deep-rooted inequalities.”

The first RDU report on Covid-19 disparities in October concluded that several socioeconomic and geographical factors coupled with pre-existing health conditions had contributed to the higher infection and mortality rates among ethnic minority groups. 

The report made several recommendations for how the Government, NHS and councils could reduce health inequalities and improve outcomes for vulnerable communities.

Another two reports will be presented to the prime minister and health secretary as part of a year-long project.