A major new study has been launched in Cheshire to understand the impact of COVID-19 among Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, as well as views about the COVID-19 vaccination.
As the UK begins rolling out the world’s first COVID-19 vaccination programme, health chiefs are urging minority ethnic groups to take part in the essential research, which is aimed at helping shape effective communications and interventions to reduce the impact of COVID-19.
The new study, which is being carried out by the Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership, is in response to data showing that ethnic communities are disproportionately affected by the virus.
Research into survival rates among confirmed COVID-19 cases showed that people of Bangladeshi ethnicity were twice as likely to die from the virus, when compared with people of white British ethnicity. People of Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, other Asian, Caribbean and other black ethnicity had a 10%to 50% higher risk of death when compared to white British.
The study aims to gain a deeper understanding into the experiences of ethnic groups during the pandemic and attitudes towards the COVID-19 vaccinations. This it to ensure communication and services are tailored towards the needs of these diverse communities.
Health officials say the research will also enable them to identify new and key insights which will help to improve engagement between the NHS and different ethnic groups.
Dr Linda Charles-Ozuzu, Regional Director of Commissioning for NHS England and NHS Improvement and Senior Responsible Officer for the COVID-19 vaccination programme in the North West, said: “There is clear evidence that COVID-19 does not affect all population groups equally. The virus has disproportionately impacted people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities and has injected urgency into addressing the underlying causes. This research is instrumental in enabling us to tackle the inequalities engendered by COVID-19 and to further support our Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.”
The communities are now being encouraged to take part in a critical survey to provide insight into the research programme.
Dr Charles-Ozuzu added: “We are aware that the risk of dying from COVID-19 is higher in black, Asian and minority ethnic groups compared to white ethnic groups.
“We are asking for everyone in these communities to take part in our survey to help the NHS understand attitudes and feelings around the virus and the vaccination programme. This is an opportunity for people to express their views and thoughts. The insight derived from this survey will help us to answer questions, shape and provide support to ultimately save lives in the fight against COVID-19.
“Our programme of work will also provide a deeper understanding of the wider needs of Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, beyond health care needs.”
Dr Raj Kumar, Cheshire & Merseyside GP and Chair of the NHS Clinical Leaders Network, added: “This research in an essential step in helping tackle the existing inequalities amongst our ethnic minority communities which the pandemic has highlighted. It is vital that we understand different religious, cultural and behavioural beliefs and attitudes, so we can support and engage with all of our communities.
“To do that effectively, we need you to help us understand your individual experiences. I know my own personal experience as a British Asian male doctor may be quite different to other individuals within the Black, Asian and other minority ethnic communities. We want to hear from as many people as possible across these groups to ensure our support reaches those who need it the most, across all backgrounds.
“We have seen first-hand that some ethnic minority communities are often less likely to take part in general prevention and screening programmes. We need to ensure that we understand the reasons for this and that we highlight the importance of addressing the issues with health and social care organisations. To undertake this we need our teams to engage with these communities pro-actively and explore views in a manner that would encourage active participation.”
The new research project is an essential step forward in helping understand attitudes to the immunisation programme to ensure as many people as possible take up the offer of vaccination.
Edna Boampong, Deputy Director of Communications and Engagement at the Cheshire and Merseyside Heath and Care Partnership, and Communications Lead for Cheshire and Merseyside’s COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, said:
“I am aware that we cannot address the long-standing health disparities between different ethnic groups without a deeper understanding of the impacts coronavirus has had on these individual communities. I know people from the African community, my community, have questions about the COVID-19 mass vaccination programme and I think it is important to understand more about this.
“A one-size-fits-all approach is not an option; we need to engage with people in a meaningful way that is relevant to them. This research is critical in allowing us to do that. Now is a pivotal point in the fight against COVID-19 and this research will enable us to provide key decision makers with the insights they need to develop a firm plan to address these inequalities head on”.
The survey, which can be translated into various languages upon request, is available online at www.cheshireandmerseysidepartnership.co.uk/survey-landing-page. A telephone survey can be arranged for those people who do not have access to the internet.
The survey will focus on various topics, including experiences of COVID-19, the impact of COVID-19 to access health care, attitudes towards COVID-19, and vaccinations.
All answers will remain anonymous and everyone taking part will be entered into a prize draw with a chance to win a selection of Amazon gift vouchers.
The closing date for people to have their voices heard is 25th January 2021.
The study is being co-funded by NHS England and NHS Improvement, Public Health England and Cheshire and Merseyside’s Directors of Public Health.
Further information about the work the Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership is doing for these communities and its wider work is available from: www.cheshireandmerseysidepartnership.co.uk.
Pictured - Edna Boampong, Deputy Director of Communications and Engagement at the Cheshire and Merseyside Heath and Care Partnership, and Communications Lead for Cheshire and Merseyside’s COVID-19 Vaccination Programme.
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