Inequalities show BAME communities make them more prone to pandemics

In a double blow for members of the BAME community, health charity Antibiotic Research UK is warning that they are not only more likely to die from coronavirus than white people – but have an increased chance of succumbing to deadly superbugs such as MRSA, too.

Examining data from the UK, USA and Europe, the charity revealed that people of colour were more susceptible to antibiotic resistant infections.

It concluded that it was not race that dictated this division but rather poor and overcrowded living conditions, variable health provision, poorer diets, and a failure on behalf of the authorities to engage with BAME communities (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic).

The charities views are backed-up by a snapshot survey of people in predominantly Asian communities (including in Rochdale, Oldham and Bolton), which demonstrates a real fear of contracting illness, despite residents taking the same precautions as the rest of the community and valiant attempts to keep fit. The study of 300 people also gave an insight into how BAME communities receive their communications and bemoaned a lack of exercise facilities and nutritional advice on food.

Professor Colin Garner, Chief Executive of Antibiotic Research UK, said: “Many of us are aware that the number of deaths from Covid-19 are disproportionate in BAME communities and an awful lot of conjecture and damaging rumour has been put forward as to why that has happened.

“As our analysis has showed, it is not genetic make-up but rather health inequalities that have caused this situation. Ten million people per year are predicted to die from antibiotic-resistant infections by 2050 and as the number of antibiotic-resistant infections continues to increase, we need to act now to prevent this becoming another pandemic that highlights the inequalities still present in our society.”

In a blog published on Antibiotic Research UK’s site, Professor Garner highlights how non-white people in America were almost twice as likely to be resistant to antibiotics for gut complaints than their Caucasian counterparts. An examination of ethnically diverse in communities in London also showed that BAME people suffering from an infection lining the stomach had 30% less chance of having it healed by antibiotics.

The study revealed that three quarters of BAME people were either worried or terrified about catching a deadly infection – this despite 94% of respondents adhering to basic hygiene guidelines. Just 27% checked the fat and calorie content of food, but 85% did thirty minutes or more exercise per day.

Despite perceived guesses about how South Asian communities should receive health messages (and in what language), the survey actually showed that the community preferred its guidance from television news, friends, and family. Authorities were also failing to realise the impact of positive role models in promoting good health.

One such is Akke Rahman, otherwise known as the Bengali Mountaineer. The adventurer, who has just conquered Kilimanjaro and Mont Blanc, said: “Like most people within my community, I really didn’t know or understand much about antibiotic resistance. The fact that it is another pandemic destined to affect our community disproportionately, is really worrying.

“Organisations have to look at the way they manage health services and transmit messages to what is a very diverse population. It is not simply a matter of translating leaflets into Urdu and leaving them in health centres. People from BAME communities want to be well and play their part in ensuring others are protected, too.”

Antibiotic Research UK is the only charity in the country solely dedicated to combating drug-resistant infections, save modern medicine and lives.

The charity’s Patient Support service has grown during the pandemic and offers sound advice, information, and encouragement to all members of the community – via the phone or online.

Learn more about the programme at:

• www.antibioticresearch.org.uk/find-support/