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COVID-19 Mortality: A Complex Interplay of Sex, Gender, and Ethnicity

Authored by: Nazrul Islam, Kamlesh Khunti, Hajira Dambha-Miller et al.

Categories: Global Public Health, Human Rights, Humanitarian Emergencies
Sub-Categories: COVID-19, Economic Participation, Human Development
Region: No Region
Year: 2020
Citation: Islam, Nazrul et al. "COVID-19 Mortality: A Complex Interplay of Sex, Gender, and Ethnicity." European Journal of Public Health. August 2020.

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Executive Summary

Several studies have reported a higher rate of COVID-19 mortality in men. A higher rate of COVID-19 mortality has also been reported in Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) groups, especially among healthcare providers. The exact reasons for these disparities are not known but may be due to differential susceptibility based on biological sex, as well as gender differences in health behaviors (e.g. smoking) giving rise to differences in comorbidities (e.g., cardiovascular disease) that increase the risk of COVID-19 mortality in men. However, there are social influences that could influence gender differences in exposure and infection; e.g., women are more likely to be involved in service sector work/healthcare; men more involved in other high risk jobs such as drivers. In regards to ethnic differences, people from BAME background may be more likely to be in frontline, exposed, jobs; they may be more likely to live in crowded multigeneration households making it challenging to maintain physical distancing from elderly family members.