COVID-19: Public Health England review of disparities in risks and outcomes
Public Health England have published findings of their review into how different factors have affected COVID-19 risk and outcomes. The review looked at different factors including; age and sex, where people live, deprivation, ethnicity, comorbidities.
The review was a descriptive presentation of surveillance data on disparities in the risk and outcomes from COVID-19. Public Health England state that these findings will help improve understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic and will help guide the future public health response to it
Visit Public Health England for access to the full report.
Summary
This review confirms that the impact of COVID-19 has replicated existing health inequalities and, in some cases, has increased them.
Higher disparities for COVID-19 were seen in:
- Those aged 80 and above
- Males
- The more socially deprived
- Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups.
- Those with pre-existing diabetes, hypertensive disease, kidney disease, COPD and dementia.
Hypertensive Disease
Among deaths with COVID-19 mentioned on the death certificate, a higher percentage mentioned diabetes (21%), 43% and 45% of which were higher in Asian and Black minority groups respectively. This was followed by those with hypertensive disease , of which a greater proportion were seen in males (21% vs 18%) and black minority groups (40%).
Public Health England Recommendations:
- The results of this review should be widely discussed and considered by all those involved in and concerned with the national and local response to COVID-19.
- Relevant guidance, certain aspects of recording and reporting of data, and key policies should be adapted to recognise and wherever possible mitigate or reduce the impact of COVID-19 on the population groups that are shown in this review to be more affected by the infection and its adverse outcomes.
- As the numbers of new COVID-19 cases decrease, monitoring the infection among those most at risk will become increasingly important. It seems likely that it will be difficult to control the spread of COVID-19 unless these inequalities can be addressed.
Katharine Jenner - Campaign Director of Action on Sugar and Action on Salt, Queen Mary University of London says: "This report is another in a long line of reports that clearly shows the devastating effect inequalities has in widening health outcomes, in this case for Covid-19. Before the PHE review we already knew that those living with obesity had an increased risk of adverse outcomes from Covid-19, yet no action was being taken to address it. In our evidence-based report released last week we provided Boris Johnson with a plan of action to support and treat those living with obesity and related health conditions, which disproportionately effects those from disadvantaged groups.
Although there is an element of personal responsibility in both the treatment and prevention of obesity, this can only be achieved with equitable access to healthy, affordable food - this is far from a reality for millions of Britain’s.
It is even more critical than ever for the food & drink industry, including the hospitality sector, to stop flooding us with unhealthy food options to keep us healthy - both now and in the future."
