The shocking wealth gap at the heart of the Covid crisis has been underlined by the first nationwide study of its kind.
Researchers from Edinburgh and Glasgow universities found patients from the poorest areas had a higher chance of critical care admission, and that intensive care units in such areas were more likely to be overcrowded.
They said the study highlighted the need for extra support for critical care units in poorer areas, and for more action to tackle health inequalities.
Lead researcher Dr Nazir Lone, of Edinburgh University, said: “A number of factors could be driving this link between poverty and severe disease, including poor housing, increased use of public transport and financial pressures to continue working.”
At her briefing yesterday, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was aware of the report.
She added: “We have been aware for most of the last 10 months of
the disproportionate impact on those in deprived areas.
“What was not fully understood, and we are still developing our understanding, is what the reasons for that are, and this is true also of some of our BAME communities.
“The developing understanding is that is less to do with clinical issues and more with societal circumstances – housing conditions and broader conditions in particular areas.
“Almost right from the start, we have tried to factor that in to our response. We take it extremely seriously.”
