Asians face a greater risk of contracting coronavirus and are more likely to be admitted to intensive care compared to white individuals, The Guardian reports.
While Asians are 1.5 times more likely than white individuals to be infected, Black individuals are twice as likely as white people to contract the virus, BBC reports. The report examined 18 million cases across eight UK and 42 U.S. studies.
According to The Guardian, the analysis was published in the medical journal, EClinicalMedicine, and is the ‘first comprehensive, systematic review of published research and preliminary papers that delve into the burden of coronavirus on different ethnic groups.’
Many factors play into the disproportionate impact of coronavirus on people of color, including structural healthcare barriers, The Guardian reports. People of color are also more likely to live in multigenerational households or be essential workers.
“The clear evidence of increased risk of infection among ethnic minority groups is of urgent public health importance,” co-lead researcher Dr. Shirley Sze said, BBC reports. “”We must work to minimise exposure to the virus in these at-risk groups by facilitating their timely access to healthcare resources and target the social and structural disparities that contribute to health inequalities.”
According to Manish Pareek, ‘targeted public messaging’ is crucial to making sure the public stays informed and seeks medical attention if necessary.
“It’s about trying to make sure interventions are available early on, so people can seek advice and care at early time points,” Pareek, a University of Leicester associate clinical professor in infectious diseases, said, The Guardian reports.
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