COVID-19 and the BAME population
Let’s rewind to March 2020 - did anyone think COVID-19 was going to affect the world the way it has? As we slowly come out of lockdown, it is important to remember those who are at an increased risk of catching the virus.
A recent report by Public Health England (PHE)¹ found that COVID-19 affects everyone individually, but more specifically, people from specific ethnic groups may be at a higher risk. For instance, the Black African/ Caribbean may be at a higher risk of testing positive for the virus¹. For other minority ethnic groups, there is not enough evidence yet to suggest they are at an increased risk for testing positive. Secondly, the risk of COVID-19 related death has been 1.9 times more likely in the black ethnicity population compared to the white population².
Potential Risk Factors
There are a lot of reasons why the BAME population may be at a higher risk of catching the virus and passing away from COVID-19. The research behind the risk factors is new and ongoing, hence the current findings need further studies to confirm the evidence.
A risk factor is a link between comorbidities and COVID-19¹. The BAME population is at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes - those of South Asian, African Caribbean or Black African descent are 2-4 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes³. The risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) is up to 50% higher in those who are from a South Asian descent compared to the white population⁴. Unfortunately, those who have type 2 diabetes and CVD are at an increased risk of catching COVID-19⁵.
A second factor is socioeconomics (housing, finances and occupation). To begin with housing - overcrowding is an issue among the BAME population. For example, in London, 30% of Bangladeshi households are overcrowded compared to 2% of white British households⁶. Some BAME households are more likely to have multiple generations living under 1 roof, this can lead to an increase in transmission of the virus¹.
Some ethnic minority groups are more susceptible to economic vulnerability⁷. It has been found that Pakistani and Bangladeshi households were more likely to have men who work as taxi drivers, and in restaurants, which closed for a long period of time leading to financial insecurity⁷.
Moreover, research from the UK and US found that frontline workers in medical settings had nearly a 12 times higher risk of testing positive for the virus⁸. With this regard, in London, 44.9% of NHS staff come from the BAME population⁹ (A huge thank you to all our front line workers!). We have only covered a few potential risk factors however there are a lot of risks but it is important to remember that this is new emerging evidence and that things may change over time.
The Future
To help decrease the risk among the BAME population, PHE has set out some recommendations¹ for local authorities to follow. Do you want to help? Reach out to your local food bank¹⁰ or charities - check out some of our articles on health inequalities in the BAME population, diabetes and 6 ways to help during COVID-19. Together we can help combat COVID-19 and health inequalities among the BAME population!