ASMR Vids

All Sounds Vids

Covid-19 risks higher in NI’s most deprived areas | UTV

by ·

[ad_1]

  1. ITV Report

Deprived areas are most at risk from the coronavirus. Credit: UTV

Two reports have been published that both show a link between deprivation and Covid-19 infection and death rates in Northern Ireland.

One of the reports, from the NI Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra), also revealed that four people whose deaths were linked to coronavirus were healthcare or care-related workers.

While the four people were of working age, in the 20-69 bracket, the statistics do not confirm if they were working on the frontline prior to their deaths, raising the possibility that they could have been retired or shielding with an underlying health condition.

The Nisra report analysed the 764 fatalities that occurred between 1 March and 31 May where Covid-19 was listed as a factor on the death certificate.

764

The number of deaths in NI linked to Covid-19 between 1 March and 31 may, according to Nisra

Statisticians adjusted the figures to account for differing age profiles across the region.

The Covid-19-related age-standardised mortality rate (ASMR) worked out at 48.2 per 100,000 population for Northern Ireland as whole.

However, the ASMR was highest for the 20% most deprived areas of the region, at 60.5 deaths per 100,000 population.

Without making adjustments to allow for age profiles, the 20% most affluent areas in Northern Ireland actually recorded more Covid-19-linked deaths than the most deprived areas – 176 to 149.

However, more older people tend to live in affluent areas, causing the shift when that was taken into account.

Older people and those with underlying conditions are most vulnerable to Covid-19. Credit: PA

The Department of Health also published similar research, comparing the most and least deprived areas for infection rates and hospital admissions up to 26 May.

It found that the infection rate in the 10% most deprived areas – 379 cases per 100,000 population – was a fifth higher than the rate in the 10% least deprived areas – 317 cases per 100,000.

This report makes for tough reading, with it being incredibly clear of the link between deprivation and health inequalities.

It’s unacceptable that healthcare is a postcode lottery in Northern Ireland, with where you live and how much you earn having a huge impact upon the quality of care you receive and the likeliness of you developing an illness.

We must do more to tackle these glaring health inequalities. That is why we’re calling on the Department for Health to address these inequalities through a new respiratory health strategy.

– Joseph Carter, Head of Asthma UK & British Lung Foundation NI

The least deprived areas recorded the second highest infection rate across all ages. The average was 272 cases per 100,000 population.

The infection rate among those aged over 65 was almost two-fifths higher in the 10% most deprived areas – 1,027 cases per 100,000 – than the rate in the 10% least deprived – 750 cases per 100,000 population.

The hospital admission rate for Covid-19 (suspected and confirmed) in the 10% most deprived areas – 581 admissions per 100,000 population – was almost double the rate in the 10% least deprived areas – 317 admissions per 100,000 population.

Healthcare workers are among those on the frontline of the fight against Covid-19. Credit: PA

The Nisra age-standardised analysis compared mortality rates for a variety of different groups of the population.

In terms of geography, the Belfast City Council area had the highest Covid-19-related age-standardised mortality rates (ASMR), with 81.1 deaths per 100,000.

This was followed by Antrim and Newtownabbey at 64.4 per 100,000.

Fermanagh and Omagh had the lowest Covid-19 related ASMR of 16.2, followed by Derry and Strabane on 25.0.

Belfast City Council area had the highest Covid-19-related age-standardised mortality rates. Credit: Presseye

In respect of the overall urban/rural picture, the highest Covid-19-related ASMR was found in urban areas – 59.0 deaths per 100,000.

This was significantly higher than ASMRs in areas categorised as mixed urban/rural – 37.7 – and rural – 30.4.

The age-adjusted figures also show that males had a significantly higher rate of death linked to Covid-19 – 60.4 deaths per 100,000 of the male population compared with 40.4 deaths per 100,000 females.

Ethnicity is not recorded on death certificates in Northern Ireland.

In the rest of the UK, black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people have found to be at greater risk from Covid-19.

Coronavirus: Everything you need to know

[ad_2]

Source by [author_name]

Tags: