Mental health and COVID-19: is the virus racist?
Anuj Kapilashrami, Kamaldeep Bhui
Abstract
COVID-19 has changed our lives and it appears to be especially harmful for some groups more than others. Black and Asian ethnic minorities are at particular risk and have reported greater mortality and intensive care needs. Mental illnesses are more common among Black and ethnic minorities, as are crisis care pathways including compulsory admission. This editorial sets out what might underlie these two phenomena, explaining how societal structures and disadvantage generate and can escalate inequalities in crises.
Topics & Concepts
DisadvantageEthnic groupCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Mental health2019-20 coronavirus outbreakSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)InequalityRacismPrejudice (legal term)CriminologySociologyPolitical scienceMedicinePsychologyPsychiatryGender studiesSocial psychologyVirologyDiseaseLawPathologyInfectious disease (medical specialty)Mathematical analysisMathematicsOutbreakClimate Change and Health ImpactsHealth, psychology, and well-beingHealthcare professionals’ stress and burnout