Reducing the impact of the coronavirus on disadvantaged migrants and ethnic minorities.

Studies from several countries have shown that the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionally affected migrants. Many have numerous risk factors making them vulnerable to infection and poor clinical outcome. Policies to mitigate this effect need to take into account public health principles of inclusion, universal health coverage and the right to health. In addition, the migrant health agenda has been compromised by the suspension of asylum processes and resettlement, border closures, increased deportations and lockdown of camps and excessively restrictive public health measures. International organizations including the World Health Organization and the World Bank have recommended measures to actively counter racism, xenophobia and discrimination by systemically including migrants in the COVID-19 pandemic response. Such recommendations include issuing additional support, targeted communication and reducing barriers to accessing health services and information. Some countries have had specific policies and outreach to migrant groups, including facilitating vaccination. Measures and policies targeting migrants should be evaluated, and good models disseminated widely.

Migration, ethnicity, racism and the COVID-19 pandemic: A conference marking the launch of a new Global Society.

The inaugural conference of the Global Society on Migration, Ethnicity, Race and Health COVID-19 examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on migrants and ethnic minorities and the role of racism. Migrants everywhere have faced tightening immigration restrictions, more obstacles to healthcare, increased racism and worsening poverty. Higher COVID-19 mortality rates have been otbserved in ethnic/racial minorities in the United Kingdom and the United States. Structural racism has been implicated, operating, for example, through more crowded living conditions and higher-risk occupations. In Brazil, good data are lacking but a seroprevalence survey suggested higher rates of infection among ethnic minorities and slum dwellers. Considerable disruption of services for migrants at the border with Venezuela have occurred. National policy responses to protect vulnerable groups have been lacking. In Australia, with strict COVID-19 control metrtrun 0asures and inclusive policies, there have been few cases and deaths reported in Indigenous communities so far. In most countries, the lack of COVID-19 data by ethnic/racial group or migrant status should be addressed. Otherwise, racism and consequent inequalities will go undetected.