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There is no longer evidence that ethnic minority groups are at higher risk of dying from Covid-19 compared to White British groups, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The data reveals that mortality rates among ethnic minority groups are now similar to White British groups, a stark difference from the beginning of the pandemic, when exceedingly high mortality rates were seen among minority groups, particularly those from Bangladeshi, Black Caribbean and Pakistani backgrounds.
These new figures therefore indicate that all-cause Covid mortality rates have returned to pre-pandemic patterns.
Veena Raleigh, Senior Fellow, The King’s Fund has described the changes as “encouraging”, but says there is a more worrisome side to the data that should all be noted.
Gypsy and Irish Traveller group had the highest all-cause Covid mortality
The findings are based on population data from January to November 2022, when the Omicron variant was the primary variant of concern.
In this 11-month period, there was a small increase in Covid-19 mortality in the White British group compared to the latter half of 2021.
Ms Raleigh explains that disaggregated analyses for the White group show that the Gypsy and Irish Traveller group had the highest all-cause mortality among all ethnic groups during this period. However, the White Irish group, and the White and Black Caribbean group, also had some of the highest rates.
She highlights the importance of recognising these health inequalities and keeping a close eye on the data to see if this trend continues. She said: “Health inequalities have many dimensions and afflict people of all ethnicities: for example, the millions – including those in White groups – living in deprived communities have significantly shorter and unhealthier lives than those living in more affluent areas, and some ethnic minority groups have the highest mortality from cardiovascular disease and diabetes.”
Health disparities white paper still needed
With this in mind, the King’s Fund says it is disappointing that the government has chosen to shelve its planned health disparities White Paper, as this would have added to much-needed research about how poverty and deprivation drives poor health.
Ms Raleigh says this decision “signals a continuation of political failure to address the growing and shameful health inequalities that blight the lives of millions.”
She added that the findings show that the virus continues to be “a hazard to health” and advises that protective measures – such as vaccination and reducing exposure to infection – should continue.