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1. #COVID-19 has laid bare existing #HealthInequalities in Ireland and globally. We must address it in our planning now and for the future - #BuildBackBetter
2. UK Biobank data indicates a significantly higher risk of getting #COVID19 in most socioeconomically deprived group: 2.79 (95% CI 2.00–3.90)
3. After adjusting for age, sex and ethnicity, mortality was significantly higher in patients from the most deprived quintiles in Scotland (OR 1.97, 95%CI 1.13, 3.41, p=0.016)
4. In England, the age-standardised mortality rate of deaths involving COVID-19 in the most deprived areas was 128.3 deaths per 100,000 population; this was more than double the mortality rate in the least deprived areas (58.8 deaths per 100,000).
5. A review by Bambra et al- defining a COVID19 Syndemic - “inequalities in COVID-19 are related to existing inequalities in chronic diseases and the social determinants of health, arguing that we are experiencing a syndemic pandemic.”
6. We need to anticipate and plan to address inequalities in COVID-19 vaccination
7. Also inevitable inequalities in our test and trace systems given that Public Health inadequately resourced in Ireland and elsewhere to do this job as well as it could. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)32593-9/fulltext
8. Rapid review conducted by three independent Public Health Specialists for @DOTW_UK reported some of the things we need to do if we want to address #COVID-19 #HealthInequalities
https://www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/covid-full-rna-report.pdf
https://www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/covid-full-rna-report.pdf
9. These include addressing barriers to understanding and following information and guidance; recognising higher prevalence of underlying health conditions in most deprived communities and difficulties cocooning in crowded households;
10. addressing factors which delay recognition of COVID-19 illness and barriers to decision to seek healthcare; recognising that measures taken to control it are likely to disproportionately negatively impact the physical and mental health of people from the identified groups;
11.considering access to health services for non-COVID-19 related routine or urgent care.
A ‘Shock’ like the COVID-19 pandemic provides an opportunity for change – so let’s #BuildBackBetter
http://www.instituteofhealthequity.org/resources-reports/build-back-fairer-the-covid-19-marmot-review/build-back-fairer-the-covid-19-marmot-review-executive-summary.pdf
A ‘Shock’ like the COVID-19 pandemic provides an opportunity for change – so let’s #BuildBackBetter
http://www.instituteofhealthequity.org/resources-reports/build-back-fairer-the-covid-19-marmot-review/build-back-fairer-the-covid-19-marmot-review-executive-summary.pdf
12. References for this thread available here: http://deepend.ie/covid-19-and-health-inequalitites/
@deepend_ireland @deependgp @DeepEndGP_YH @DeepEndGM @DOTW_UK @ChildRightsIRL @TASCblog @IHFIreland @TCDhpm @HealthReformIRE @roinnslainte @slaintecare @HSELive @HSE_SI @DonnellyStephen
