Ethnic and racial disparities in COVID-19-related deaths: counting the trees, hiding the forest

Abstract

COVID-19 has further exposed the strong association between race, ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic status and health outcomes and illuminated monumental ethnoracialised differences reflecting the 'colour of disease'. Racism, segregation and inequality have been invisibly and pervasively embedded in dominant cultures and social institutions for decades. The socioeconomic factors that negatively influence health outcomes within the underserved minority communities must be identified and contextualised within historical, political, social and economic remits. Acquisition of disaggregated data will be vital in identifying gaps in the social determinants of these health disparities and tailoring global policy responses.