Inequalities in the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic: an ecological study of inequalities in mortality in the first wave and the effects of the first national lockdown in England.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To examine how ecological inequalities in COVID-19 mortality rates evolved in England, and whether the first national lockdown impacted them. This analysis aimed to provide evidence for important lessons to inform public health planning to reduce inequalities in any future pandemics.

Design

Longitudinal ecological study.

Setting

307 lower-tier local authorities in England.

Primary outcome measure

Age-standardised COVID-19 mortality rates by local authority, regressed on Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) and relevant epidemic dynamics.

Results

Local authorities that started recording COVID-19 deaths earlier were more deprived, and more deprived authorities saw faster increases in their death rates. By 6 April 2020 (week 15, the earliest time

SUBMITTER: Welsh C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9378950 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature