Clinical

The disproportionate effects of COVID-19 on nurses from ethnic minority backgrounds

Why you should read this article:

To enhance your understanding of intersectionality and its relevance to healthcare staff, including nurses

To recognise the intersecting factors that may contribute to the disproportionate effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among nurses from ethnic minority backgrounds

To consider how an intersectional approach could be implemented in your area of practice

 

People from ethnic minority backgrounds in the UK have been disproportionately affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), with higher death rates and suboptimal health outcomes compared with those from white ethnic backgrounds. This trend is reflected in healthcare staff from ethnic minority backgrounds, including nurses, who are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and have higher death rates from the disease. The theory of intersectionality contends that social categorisations such as gender, race and class can contribute to discrimination and result in disadvantages. In this article, the authors outline several intersecting factors that could be contributing to the disproportionate effects of COVID-19 among nurses from ethnic minority backgrounds, as well as making recommendations for further research in this area.

Jobs