Why Government must act after Covid-19 report on BAME disparity

A lady pegging her washing out during the coronavirus lockdown pictured in Leeds.

A new review has warned that black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people are at significantly higher risk of dying from Covid-19.

The study, from Public Health England, looked at the risk factors for coronavirus and found BAME individuals have a much higher risk of death than white people, as do those from poorer backgrounds, men and anyone who is obese or suffering from diabetes.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the Commons yesterday the evidence demonstrates that coronavirus targets people in an “unequal and disproportionate way”.

This report must now surely place the levelling-up agenda high on the Government’s radar in light of the crisis showing “huge disparities” nationwide dependent on ethnicity and factors like social deprivation.

The Yorkshire Evening Post has repeatedly called for the social inequality gap to be narrowed right here in our city.

Now this means so much more than political agendas - it’s about people’s lives.

Why Government must act after Covid-19 report on BAME disparity - the YEP says