BAME Community Message

The acronym BAME stands for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic and is defined as all ethnic groups except White ethnic groups.

Public Health England found people from Black ethnic groups are most likely to be diagnosed with COVID-19, and death rates were highest among people of Black and Asian ethnic groups.

A report into factors contributing to this disparity were discussed by stakeholders with Public Health England add the following factors were discovered to be reasons why the BAME community are at greater risk from COVID-19. Lets take a look and find out why disparity occurs. 

Longstanding inequalities exacerbated by COVID-19 

The pandemic has highlighted and exposed the longstanding inequalities affecting BAME groups in the UK. 

BAME have traditionally how lower socioeconomic circumstances which in turn results in lower health outcomes 

From the Office of National Statistics and Public Health England there has been evidence to show strong correlation between a diagnosis of COVID-19 and economic disadvantage.   In addition, it is important to note that whilst being economically disadvantaged you are also more like to have a higher prevalence of obesity, diabetes ,hypertension and smoking . This factors indeed increase the risk if the disease severity. 

Risk of exposure of COVID-19 

Research indicates that BAME are more exposed to COVID-19.  Public Health England found that a high proportion of BAME groups that were key workers and in occupations that placed them at risk by increasing the likelihood of social contact and increasing the risk of infection.

Increased risk of complications and death from COVID-19

Once infected, many of the pre-existing health conditions that increase the risk of having severe infection are more common in BAME groups and many of these conditions are socioeconomically displayed.  Unfortunately there is often  a higher incidence of chronic diseases and multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs).

 Occupational exposure

BAME groups are more likely to work in occupations with a higher risk of COVID-19 exposure, this includes the health and social care workforce, as well as cleaners, public transport workers, and retail workers. Statistically the health and care workforce in England are significantly over-represented by people from BAME groups: 40% of doctors, 20% of nurses, and 17% of social care workforce are from of BAME groups. 

Evidence shows that often individuals from BAME groups workers are in lower paid roles within the NHS, which mean that these roles cannot be done remotely, such   jobs are less likely to be able to be performed at home.  Thus leading to greater exposure with other members of the community. 

Racism, discrimination, stigma, fear and trust 

Racism and discrimination experienced by BAME key workers as a root cause affecting health. For instance, its been noted that racial discrimination affects people’s life chances as well as playing an integral role in a persons mental and physical wellbeing.   

There is a prevalence among the BAME groups lack of trust of NHS services.  As such their reluctance to seek care on a timely basis, and late presentation with disease affects their physical health more severely. 

Housing

The risks associated with COVID-19 transmission, morbidity, and mortality can be exacerbated by the housing challenges faced by some members of BAME groups.  For instance , overcrowding can lead to increased COVID-19 transmission as individuals within the household are unable to effectively self-isolate . BAME households are more likely to be inter-generational: grandparents living alongside grandchildren. 

Financial insecurity

 The most recent research from the UK suggests that both ethnicity and income inequality are independently associated with COVID-19 mortality.  The economic impact of the COVID-19 ‘shut-down’ may be felt differently across different ethnic groups in England. Platt et al found that Pakistani and Bangladeshi households were most likely to have men working in a ‘shut-down’ sector (restaurant work, taxi driving) as well as having a partner not currently in the labour market; this could lead to high levels of financial vulnerability. 

All these factors taken into consideration have demonstrated that BAME groups suffer a disproportionate impact of COVID-19 and therefore it is imperative that this group are at the forefront of seeking vaccination when invited to do so.

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