Inequalities in healthcare disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from 12 UK population-based longitudinal studies.
BMJ Open
; 12(10): e064981, 2022 10 13.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2064172
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
We investigated associations between multiple sociodemographic characteristics (sex, age, occupational social class, education and ethnicity) and self-reported healthcare disruptions during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.DESIGN:
Coordinated analysis of prospective population surveys.SETTING:
Community-dwelling participants in the UK between April 2020 and January 2021.PARTICIPANTS:
Over 68 000 participants from 12 longitudinal studies.OUTCOMES:
Self-reported healthcare disruption to medication access, procedures and appointments.RESULTS:
Prevalence of healthcare disruption varied substantially across studies between 6% and 32% reported any disruption, with 1%-10% experiencing disruptions in medication, 1%-17% experiencing disruption in procedures and 4%-28% experiencing disruption in clinical appointments. Females (OR 1.27; 95% CI 1.15 to 1.40; I2=54%), older persons (eg, OR 1.39; 95% CI 1.13 to 1.72; I2=77% for 65-75 years vs 45-54 years) and ethnic minorities (excluding white minorities) (OR 1.19; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.35; I2=0% vs white) were more likely to report healthcare disruptions. Those in a more disadvantaged social class were also more likely to report healthcare disruptions (eg, OR 1.17; 95% CI 1.08 to 1.27; I2=0% for manual/routine vs managerial/professional), but no clear differences were observed by education. We did not find evidence that these associations differed by shielding status.CONCLUSIONS:
Healthcare disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic could contribute to the maintenance or widening of existing health inequalities.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
COVID-19
Type of study:
Cohort study
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
English
Journal:
BMJ Open
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Bmjopen-2022-064981
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