JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Emerging evidence illustrate a negative and disproportionate impact of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, although, in comparison to previously reported studies, biological and social risk factors would increase the risk of contracting Covid-19 amongst BAME groups in comparison to the non-BAME population. Despite ethnic minorities standing on the frontline to quell the impact of the pandemic within the United Kingdom’s (UK) National Health Service (NHS), disproportionate amounts of BAME doctors and other healthcare workers have died from covid-19. This unprecedented situation raises ethical and moral implications that could further raise the mental health crises this pandemic has raised. While the government attempts to mitigate the rate of virus transmission using a variety of methods, this does not reduce the impact on mental health and general wellbeing. This analysis considers available literature to explore the association between and the wider impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on BAME communities in order to raise awareness and add a further facet to the current scientific discussions.