September 04, 2020
Existing factors up COVID risk for Māori
A new study has found Māori are 50 per cent more likely to die from Covid-19 than Pākehā.
The paper published in today’s New Zealand Medical Journal compared existing demographic and health data for ethnic groups in New Zealand with international Covid-19 data.
It said the difference was due to factors such as a higher chance Māori have multiple underlying health conditions; avoidable hospitalisations being higher for Māori and Pacific populations because of structural disadvantages; Māori being at greater risk of exposure to the disease because of higher involvement in high-risk occupations and environments; and crowded housing which could accelerate transmission.
If COVID did take off, existing racism in the healthcare system would be amplified and hinder the response.
Copyright © 2020, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com