Racism as a social determinant: COVID-19 and its impacts on racial/ethnic minorities

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Mitha, K., Qureshi, K., Adatia, S., & Dodhia, H. (2020, December 22). Racism as a social determinant: COVID-19 and its impacts on racial/ethnic minorities. Discover Society. https://discoversociety.org/2020/12/22/racism-as-a-social-determinant-covid-19-and-its-impacts-on-racial-ethnic-minorities/

As of December 21 2020, over 2.1 million individuals in the UK have tested positive for COVID-19, with approximately 76 000 deaths with the virus registered as a cause. The UK is in the midst of its second wave. Areas in England are now entering, and parts of Scotland are due to enter, the highest level of Tier 4 restrictions in response to a mutation of the COVID-19 virus increasing transmissibility. This is on the heels of what seemed a positive turn in the evolution of the pandemic with the approval and roll-out of the Pfizer vaccine in early December. The Faculty of Public Health’s position statement endorsed on 21st December 2020 declaring “racism is a public health crisis” outlines strongly that public health has a role to play in addressing issues of racism as influencing health inequalities. By addressing racism, and its syndemicity with COVID-19, we can protect our most vulnerable and marginalised communities.