By Tatiana Zaituni
Yesterday we looked at the report that due to various factors, people from BAME communities are four times more likely to die from COVID-19.
The COVID-19 pandemic has killed, endangered and unexpectedly robbed us of our freedom. As the infectious disease has swept the country, anecdotal reports began to emerge about people of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups dying at a higher rate than people of a white background.
But why is the virus disproportionally killing people of African, Caribbean, British, Asian and minority ethnic descent? That is a question that many of us are looking to answer.
A recent study by the Official for National Statistics found that the virus disproportionately impacts people from minority ethnic communities due to many different factors, including wealth, health, education and living arrangement.
In this special podcast edition of Public Eye, Carole Peltier of the Black Health Forum speaks to Milton Brown about the importance of Public Health England collecting data by ethnicity, and implementing those findings effectively and accordingly to save lives.
A public inquiry, which is due at the end of May, will examine health records to try and establish a relation to the cause of death amongst people of African, Caribbean, British, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities. There are certainly many questions that need to be asked as to why these findings have come about.
If you have an opinion on this article or story about COVID-19, please contact our Newsdesk at Newdesk@kirkleeslocaltv.com and address it to Tatiana Zaituni, our COVID-19 Frontline Reporter.
If you need help and support, please contact Black Health Forum at Info@blackhealthforum.org.uk.