Risk of severe illness from COVID-19 among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults: the construct of 'vulnerable populations' obscures the root causes of health inequities.
Aust N Z J Public Health
; 45(6): 658-663, 2021 Dec.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34550638
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
To quantify the prevalence of known health-related risk factors for severe COVID-19 illness among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults, and their relationship with social determinants.METHODS:
Weighted cross-sectional analysis of the 2018-19 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey; Odds Ratios for cumulative risk count category (0, 1, or ≥2 health-related risk factors) by social factors calculated using ordered logistic regression.RESULTS:
Of the adult population, 42.9%(95%CI40.6,45.2) had none of the examined health-related risk factors; 38.9%(36.6,41.1) had 1, and 18.2%(16.7,19.7) had ≥2. Adults experiencing relative advantage across social indicators had significantly lower cumulative risk counts, with 30-70% lower odds of being in a higher risk category.CONCLUSIONS:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples must continue to be recognised as a priority population in all stages of pandemic preparedness and response as they have disproportionate exposure to social factors associated with risk of severe COVID-19 illness. Indigeneity itself is not a 'risk' factor and must be viewed in the wider context of inequities that impact health Implications for public health Multi-sectoral responses are required to improve health during and after the COVID-19 pandemic that enable self-determination; improve incomes, safety, food security and culturally-safe healthcare; and address discrimination and trauma.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Nativos de Hawái y Otras Islas del Pacífico
/
COVID-19
Tipo de estudio:
Etiology_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Aspecto:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Límite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Aust N Z J Public Health
Asunto de la revista:
SAUDE PUBLICA
Año:
2021
Tipo del documento:
Article