scholarly journals COVID-19 Outcomes in Minority Ethnic Groups: Do Obesity and Metabolic Risk Play a Role?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Coleman ◽  
Thomas M. Barber ◽  
Thijs van Rens ◽  
Petra Hanson ◽  
Alice Coffey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
The Body ◽  
Metabolic Risk ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Ethnic Populations ◽  
Minority Ethnic Groups ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity ◽  
Group Play ◽  
Minority Ethnic

Abstract Purpose of Review Globally, minority ethnic groups have been at higher risk of COVID-19 mortality and morbidity than majority populations. This review outlines factors that may interact to create these inequalities and explores the hypothesis that differing levels of cardio-metabolic risk, according to ethnic group, play a role. Recent Findings Two UK Biobank studies have reported that the body mass index is more strongly associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 infection and mortality in minority ethnic populations than in White populations. A study of UK patients found that the strongest association between obesity and adverse COVID-19 outcomes was in people of Black ethnicity. Summary Differences in the prevalence of obesity and its metabolic sequelae have been shown to partly mediate ethnic inequalities in COVID-19 outcomes, although not always consistently. It is possible that ethnic differences in the consequences of obesity may explain some of the remaining disparity in COVID-19 risk.

scholarly journals Perceived major experiences of discrimination, ethnic group, and risk of psychosis in a six-country case−control study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Supriya Misra ◽  
Bizu Gelaye ◽  
David R. Williams ◽  
Karestan C. Koenen ◽  
Christina P.C. Borba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Case Control Study ◽  
Perceived Discrimination ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Excess Risk ◽  
Minority Ethnic Groups ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Minority Ethnic ◽  
Control Study

Abstract Background Perceived discrimination is associated with worse mental health. Few studies have assessed whether perceived discrimination (i) is associated with the risk of psychotic disorders and (ii) contributes to an increased risk among minority ethnic groups relative to the ethnic majority. Methods We used data from the European Network of National Schizophrenia Networks Studying Gene-Environment Interactions Work Package 2, a population-based case−control study of incident psychotic disorders in 17 catchment sites across six countries. We calculated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for the associations between perceived discrimination and psychosis using mixed-effects logistic regression models. We used stratified and mediation analyses to explore differences for minority ethnic groups. Results Reporting any perceived experience of major discrimination (e.g. unfair treatment by police, not getting hired) was higher in cases than controls (41.8% v. 34.2%). Pervasive experiences of discrimination (≥3 types) were also higher in cases than controls (11.3% v. 5.5%). In fully adjusted models, the odds of psychosis were 1.20 (95% CI 0.91–1.59) for any discrimination and 1.79 (95% CI 1.19–1.59) for pervasive discrimination compared with no discrimination. In stratified analyses, the magnitude of association for pervasive experiences of discrimination appeared stronger for minority ethnic groups (OR = 1.73, 95% CI 1.12–2.68) than the ethnic majority (OR = 1.42, 95% CI 0.65–3.10). In exploratory mediation analysis, pervasive discrimination minimally explained excess risk among minority ethnic groups (5.1%). Conclusions Pervasive experiences of discrimination are associated with slightly increased odds of psychotic disorders and may minimally help explain excess risk for minority ethnic groups.

scholarly journals HIGH SEROPREVALENCE FOR TOXOCARIASIS AMONG MINORITY GROUPS OF VARNA REGION, BULGARIA

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 3852-3862
Author(s):  
Tatyana Cvetkova ◽  
◽  
Kalina Stoyanova ◽  
Tsonko Paunov ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Minority Groups ◽  
Control Group ◽  
High Seroprevalence ◽  
Minority Ethnic Groups ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Minority Ethnic

Toxocariasis in humans is a little-studied zoonosis, and there are no data on the impact of this parasitosis on the minority groups in our country. The purpose of this study is to establish the seroprevalence of toxocariasis among ethnic groups in the Varna region, North-eastern Bulgaria, and compare the results with a control group from the general population. Material/Methods: As a part of a large seroepidemiologic study, we assessed the presence of Toxocara IgG among 132 individuals, self-identified with Turkish and Roma ethnicities. As a control group, we used 250 sera from children and adults from a control group. The statistical comparison was performed regarding age, sex, and type of residence. Results: Toxocara IgG were established in 43 individuals from the minority groups (seroprevalence of 32.58%) and 39 persons in the control group (15.60%) with а statistically significant difference (odds ratio = 2.61). Considerably high seropositivity in the investigated ethnicities was discovered after separating by age: children-33.33%; adults-32.00% and gender: male-38.98%; female-27.40%. A detailed analysis revealed that the type of settlement is an important confounding factor. The seropositivity among the minority ethnic groups residing in small towns and villages is 35,40%, in contrast to the residents of Varna city of the same ethnical origin (15.79%); OR = 2.92. Conclusion: The established high seroprevalence for Toxocara IgG among minority ethnic groups, especially those residing in the rural settlements of North-eastern Bulgaria, shows undiscovered to this point increased risk for the spread of toxocariasis among this population.

Migration, ethnicity, and psychoses

2020 ◽  
pp. 422-428
Author(s):  
Craig Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Social Conditions ◽  
Ethnic Populations ◽  
Minority Ethnic Groups ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
The Life Course ◽  
Minority Ethnic

The incidence of psychotic disorders is increased, to varying extents, in many migrant and minority ethnic populations in several countries. This chapter briefly reviews the evidence on disparities in incidence between minority and majority populations and then discusses possible explanations. It is unlikely that methodological artifact, including misdiagnosis, can fully account for the high incidence rates observed in some populations. Further, there is no evidence that established neurodevelopmental risk factors for psychosis explain disparities among ethnic groups. It is, then, most likely—and there is growing evidence to support this—that the high rates are a consequence of greater exposure to adverse social conditions and experiences, particularly those involving threat and violence, over the life course among minority ethnic groups. In other words, psychosis occurs more often in some minority populations via a socio-developmental pathway.

scholarly journals Ethnic density as a buffer for psychotic experiences: findings from a national survey (EMPIRIC)

2012 ◽  
Vol 201 (4) ◽  
pp. 282-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jayati Das-Munshi ◽  
Laia Bécares ◽  
Jane E. Boydell ◽  
Michael E. Dewey ◽  
Craig Morgan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Social Risk ◽  
Psychotic Experiences ◽  
Social Risk Factors ◽  
Ethnic Density ◽  
Point Reduction ◽  
Minority Ethnic Groups ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Group Density ◽  
Minority Ethnic

BackgroundAetiological mechanisms underlying ethnic density associations with psychosis remain unclear.AimsTo assess potential mechanisms underlying the observation that minority ethnic groups experience an increased risk of psychosis when living in neighbourhoods of lower own-group density.MethodMultilevel analysis of nationally representative community-level data (from the Ethnic Minorities Psychiatric Illness Rates in the Community survey), which included the main minority ethnic groups living in England, and a White British group. Structured instruments assessed discrimination, chronic strains and social support. The Psychosis Screening Questionnaire ascertained psychotic experiences.ResultsFor every ten percentage point reduction in own-group density, the relative odds of reporting psychotic experiences increased 1.07 times (95% CI 1.01–1.14, P = 0.03 (trend)) for the total minority ethnic sample. In general, people living in areas of lower own-group density experienced greater social adversity that was in turn associated with reporting psychotic experiences.ConclusionsPeople resident in neighbourhoods of higher own-group density experience ‘buffering’ effects from the social risk factors for psychosis.

scholarly journals Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups in England are at increased risk of death from COVID-19: indirect standardisation of NHS mortality data

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert W. Aldridge ◽  
Dan Lewer ◽  
Srinivasa Vittal Katikireddi ◽  
Rohini Mathur ◽  
Neha Pathak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Geographical Region ◽  
Mortality Data ◽  
Black African ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Occupational Risks ◽  
Minority Ethnic Groups ◽  
Black Caribbean ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Minority Ethnic

Background: International and UK data suggest that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups are at increased risk of infection and death from COVID-19. We aimed to explore the risk of death in minority ethnic groups in England using data reported by NHS England. Methods: We used NHS data on patients with a positive COVID-19 test who died in hospitals in England published on 28th April, with deaths by ethnicity available from 1st March 2020 up to 5pm on 21 April 2020. We undertook indirect standardisation of these data (using the whole population of England as the reference) to produce ethnic specific standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) adjusted for age and geographical region. Results: The largest total number of deaths in minority ethnic groups were Indian (492 deaths) and Black Caribbean (460 deaths) groups. Adjusting for region we found a lower risk of death for White Irish (SMR 0.52; 95%CIs 0.45-0.60) and White British ethnic groups (0.88; 95%CIs 0.86-0.0.89), but increased risk of death for Black African (3.24; 95%CIs 2.90-3.62), Black Caribbean (2.21; 95%CIs 2.02-2.41), Pakistani (3.29; 95%CIs 2.96-3.64), Bangladeshi (2.41; 95%CIs 1.98-2.91) and Indian (1.70; 95%CIs 1.56-1.85) minority ethnic groups. Conclusion: Our analysis adds to the evidence that BAME people are at increased risk of death from COVID-19 even after adjusting for geographical region. We believe there is an urgent need to take action to reduce the risk of death for BAME groups and better understand why some ethnic groups experience greater risk. Actions that are likely to reduce these inequities include ensuring adequate income protection (so that low paid and zero-hours contract workers can afford to follow social distancing recommendations), reducing occupational risks (such as ensuring adequate personal protective equipment), reducing barriers in accessing healthcare and providing culturally and linguistically appropriate public health communications.

scholarly journals Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups in England are at increased risk of death from COVID-19: indirect standardisation of NHS mortality data

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert W. Aldridge ◽  
Dan Lewer ◽  
Srinivasa Vittal Katikireddi ◽  
Rohini Mathur ◽  
Neha Pathak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Geographical Region ◽  
Mortality Data ◽  
Black African ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Occupational Risks ◽  
Minority Ethnic Groups ◽  
Black Caribbean ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Minority Ethnic

Background: International and UK data suggest that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups are at increased risk of infection and death from COVID-19. We aimed to explore the risk of death in minority ethnic groups in England using data reported by NHS England. Methods: We used NHS data on patients with a positive COVID-19 test who died in hospitals in England published on 28th April, with deaths by ethnicity available from 1st March 2020 up to 5pm on 21 April 2020. We undertook indirect standardisation of these data (using the whole population of England as the reference) to produce ethnic specific standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) adjusted for age and geographical region. Results: The largest total number of deaths in minority ethnic groups were Indian (492 deaths) and Black Caribbean (460 deaths) groups. Adjusting for region we found a lower risk of death for White Irish (SMR 0.52; 95%CIs 0.45-0.60) and White British ethnic groups (0.88; 95%CIs 0.86-0.0.89), but increased risk of death for Black African (3.24; 95%CIs 2.90-3.62), Black Caribbean (2.21; 95%CIs 2.02-2.41), Pakistani (3.29; 95%CIs 2.96-3.64), Bangladeshi (2.41; 95%CIs 1.98-2.91) and Indian (1.70; 95%CIs 1.56-1.85) minority ethnic groups. Conclusion: Our analysis adds to the evidence that BAME people are at increased risk of death from COVID-19 even after adjusting for geographical region, but was limited by the lack of data on deaths outside of NHS settings and ethnicity denominator data being based on the 2011 census. Despite these limitations, we believe there is an urgent need to take action to reduce the risk of death for BAME groups and better understand why some ethnic groups experience greater risk. Actions that are likely to reduce these inequities include ensuring adequate income protection, reducing occupational risks, reducing barriers in accessing healthcare and providing culturally and linguistically appropriate public health communications.

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