Death rates vastly different in more affluent areas

[Rainycloudyday]

Sorry if there has already been a thread on this. News today shows the shocking difference in death rates in more and less affluent areas. I’m not at all surprised sadly. On here I’m always surprised when people talk of knowing multiple people who have died. I live in a reasonably comfortable middle class area I suppose, and am from that background, and (touch wood) don’t personally know anyone who has passed away or been in hospital from Covid. For people who have lost several people around them, friends, neighbours etc. are you in more or less affluent areas?

In the deprived area near me, factories and workplaces are still operating as if nothing has changed. The choice is go to work for a pittance in an unsafe environment (no social distancing, no face masks) or lose your job.

In the deprived area near me, factories and workplaces are still operating as if nothing has changed. The choice is go to work for a pittance in an unsafe environment (no social distancing, no face masks) or lose your job*

This is awful

I used to teach in a very deprived area with high levels of poverty. Knowing the families we worked with, this virus will hit the poorest very hard. Sharing facilities in tower blocks will increase the spread, through touching lift buttons and shared entrances. Not having outside space will be very hard. For those living hand to mouth it will be very difficult to organise food shopping. Reliance on public transport, not having the the opportunity to buy in bulk for discounts, batch cook or store excess food, no sure start centres or food banks (where they are struggling for donations). Higher incidence of drug and alcohol dependency, people cooped up in small flats, not as well able to access school work perhaps. Stress of keeping children occupied when everything is closed. No parks or beaches. Violence, crime and misery could increase for these families.

There is also the issue of proximity to and availability of care. Some areas have scant provision. Other areas are better served.

Health inequality has always been linked to affluence or the lack of it. Just like life expectancy. I’m surprised anyone’s surprised.

And the poorest and most vulnerable members of society will also be hit hardest by the post-corona recession no doubt.

And the poorest and most vulnerable members of society will also be hit hardest by the post-corona recession no doubt

Maybe not, if lockdown has shown us anything it’s that the lowest paid in our society are the ones who keep the wheels turning.

I don't disagree with that but I am very afraid of the economic impact. The poorer are only going to get poorer.

Some similarities in areas such as the Midlands for pneumonia in previous years...and deprivation as well. (I know, flu is different, but just to compare).

One of the charts in the link shows the number of people per million of population by country who died from pneumonia, 2001–10.

Italy had the 4th lowest number of deaths out of nearly 100 countries - France and Spain not far behind. All three had fewer deaths per million than Germany and far fewer than the UK, which had a poor showing, just outside the top 20 for number of deaths per million of population (2001-2010).

I live in an OK area that borders one affluent area and several very poor areas (West Midlands). There are an awful lot of cases around here and it seems to be predominantly affecting BAME groups. Lots of people are reporting deaths on my local Facebook page.

Apparently the North East has a higher rate of infection per 100k population than London atm but I can't find any national news stories about it.

Also, I remember early on reading about the impossible task of social distancing in tower blocks and I felt so ashamed that the issue hadn’t occurred to me but then of course was so obvious. Is it factors like this which make such a difference?

How is a council tower block different to the luxury apartment blocks that have gone up all over London, at the side of the Thames for example?

They're still full of narrow corridors , lifts and stairs.

The person I know who's died is middle class, but was elderly. I think it stands to reason that it will hit poorer places worse because of the co-existing conditions.

The ONS study is here, some very detailed maps in there showing by local area www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/deathsinvolvingcovid19bylocalareasanddeprivation/deathsoccurringbetween1marchand17april

I'm surprised people are surprised.

It's not being poor that makes you more likely to die. It's all the other factors that come with being poor. Smaller/cramped housing, higher obesity rates, worse diet, more multi generation households, more likely to use public transport, less likely to be able to WFH.

There have been 3 deaths in my ex-mining village of around 5000 people. One was an ex miner with lung disease, one was his wife and the third was a 60 year old with significant health problems.

Like everyone else has said there are more health problems in poorer areas, less access to good food, higher public transport use but also a lack of vitamin D if you don't have an outdoor space to use.

I know quite a lot of people in my area also work in care homes or as home carers which must increase the risk.

In Bath there have been 8-10 deaths in two areas in the city not the centre but adjoining- Weston and Fairfield Park. These are not the poorest areas but do have quite a few elderly and Weston is quite mixed. None / very few in other areas though. About 20 in total for the whole city

WorraLiberty

The difference is choice. Those in council tower blocks have little option if they want a roof over their heads. Those who buy the very expensive unaffordable to most Londoners luxury apartment blocks don't have to live there. Many don't live there. It's an investment, or its just one of several homes. I also doubt there's any overcrowding or poor facilities in the luxury flats.

I saw the top 10 areas with the lowest rates earlier, these include Stockton, Grimsby and Scunthorpe- hardly affluent areas

Those areas see less travel, which means there's less chance of Covid spreading there in the first place. Also, although very deprived, there is less of a housing crisis. Less high density housing, less houses of multiple occupation.

How is a council tower block different to the luxury apartment blocks that have gone up all over London, at the side of the Thames for example?

Density. Council flats are tiny.

@orangeblossom78, I live in a village near Bath and our ward has only had 3 deaths despite a lot of elderly. I know someone involved in the management of the ICU at the RUH and she told me it had been quiet. Our GP also said the expected numbers just hadn't materialised.

Not read all thread but I live in one of 4 small villages and towns all within few miles of each other and there’s quite big differences in the deaths announced today

I think it relates to work

Two of the towns near me - like 2 miles away have had 14/16 deaths and they’re cheaper manufacturing towns with lots of factories and businesses that are still in work

My town is a little more expensive and isn’t like that - most commute to work and hasn’t had a single death

You can walk between these towns

Many in my town are old and isolating or not working unless nhs etc

My area is quite a middle affluent area.

The streets are generally very quiet and those out for a walk mostly make sure they social distance.

The only people I've seen breaking social distancing rules are groups of teenagers from the council houses who continue to meet up despite warnings. They must be putting themselves and their families at greater risk than those that have no social contact.

That increased risk, plus possible overcrowding at home and parents/adults still going out to work, must all be a contributing factor.