Public Health Ethics: COVID 19 and Health Inequalities

Question 1

Define public health ethics

Answer 1

moves away from individual patient doctor encounter and focuses on a population level. Thinks about the government’s role in ensuring a certain level of health and wellbeing and sees health as a value and right.

Question 2

What were the pre-existing inequalities prior to the COVID pandemic?

Answer 2

• on average, people in the most deprived areas had 2+ conditions 10 years earlier than people in the least deprived areas
• 65% of low income families have no savings/savings below £1500
• employment cuts to public services especially in most deprived areas

Question 3

Why are non-white communities being disproportionately affected by the pandemic?

Answer 3

• co-morbidities
• excessive exposure
• living in houses of multiple occupancy
• obesity
• lack of vitamin D
• racism and discrimination

Question 4

Describe the impact the pandemic has had on mental health

Answer 4

• disabled people have reported a much higher rate of decline of mental health compared to non-disabled people
• young people are reporting a decline in their mental health

Question 5

Describe the compounding impact the pandemic has had on young people

Answer 5

• mental health has declined
• employment: twice more likely to have lost work/been furloughed
• housing: less likely to have private garden/indoor space
• relationships: more likely to report lockdown damaging their friendships