Coronavirus Related Health Inequalities Report

The Department of Health today published the Coronavirus Related Health Inequalities Report.

This report presents an analysis of coronavirus (COVID-19) related health inequalities by assessing differences between the most and least deprived areas of NI and within Local Government District (LGD) areas for COVID-19 infection and admission rates.

Key Findings – Laboratory Completed Tests

• The infection rate in the 10% most deprived areas (379 cases per 100,000 population) was a fifth higher than the rate in the 10% least deprived areas (317 cases per 100,000 population) and two-fifths higher than the NI average (272 cases per 100,000 population).
• The rate among females (308 cases per 100,000 population) was a third higher than males (234 cases per 100,000 population).
• The infection rate among those aged over 65 was almost two-fifths higher in the 10% most deprived areas (1,027 cases per 100,000 population) than the rate in the 10% least deprived (750 cases per 100,000 population) and almost three-quarters higher than the NI average.
• While infection rates were highest in the 10% most deprived areas for under 65s, over 65s, and all ages; the 10% least deprived areas had the second highest infection rate for over 65s and all ages.
• The rate in urban areas was 90% higher than the rate seen in rural areas, however the rate was highest in mixed urban/rural areas (398 cases per 100,000 population).
• Of those testing positive, more than a quarter (27%) were admitted to hospital for treatment, with males (39%) being twice as likely to be admitted as females (19%), and those in the 10% most deprived areas 37% more likely to be admitted than those in the 10% least deprived areas.

Key Findings – Admissions to hospital

• The admission rate for COVID-19 (confirmed or suspected cases) in the 10% most deprived areas (581 admissions per 100,000 population) was almost double the rate in the 10% least deprived areas (317 admissions per 100,000 population).
• The rate for under 75s in the most deprived decile (369 admissions per 100,000 population) was approximately two and a half times that in the least deprived decile (150 admissions per 100,000 population).
• In comparison, the 75 and over rate for the most deprived decile was almost two-fifths higher than in the least deprived decile.
• While deprivation was found to be an important factor of the likelihood of admission, age was found to have a greater impact. The standardised admission rate for the population aged 75 and over (2,255 admissions per 100,000 population) was 9 times that for the under 75 population (249 admissions per 100,000 population).

Notes to editors: 

1. The ‘Coronavirus related health inequalities’ report is a new report presenting inequality information in relation to (i) positive laboratory completed tests for SARS-COV2 virus, and (ii) Patients admitted with confirmed or suspected COVID-19.
2. Analysis includes differentials in rates between males and females, most and least deprived areas, urban, rural and mixed urban/rural areas, and Local Government Districts. Information is presented for all ages, over 75s, under 75s for admissions, and for all ages, over 65s and under 65s for positive laboratory completed tests.
3. All information relates to the position as at 26 May 2020.
4. The information presented in this publication is based on data from the Hospital Patient Administration System and the Regional Data Warehouse for testing. Some data included within this report has been sourced from live administrative systems which are continually being amended or updated, as such information is subject to change.
5. Inequalities between the 10% most deprived areas and the 10% least deprived areas are measured. These areas are defined according to the Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure (NIMDM).
6. COVID-19 cases are identified by taking specimens from people at testing centres across Northern Ireland and sending these specimens to laboratories to be tested. If the test is positive, this is referred to as a Laboratory Completed Test. The information presented in this report refers only to the number of Laboratory Completed Tests for SARS-COV2 at the following HSC Trust Laboratories: Regional Virus Laboratory (Belfast), Antrim Testing Laboratory, Craigavon Area Testing Laboratory and Altnagelvin Area Testing Laboratory. For further information see DoH Daily Dashboard.
7. Admissions information is based on hospital admission data and relates to any person admitted to hospital with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, identified using specific Method of Admission Codes (CR or CC) and Specialty Codes (COVS or COVC) and excluding internal admissions. Method of Admission codes are only used for non-elective patients only. The Hospital Patient Administration System provides information on admitted patient care delivered by Health and Social Care hospitals in Northern Ireland. This administrative source holds data at patient level and each record it contains relates to a single consultant episode.
   
   For further information see DoH Daily Dashboard.
   
   All COVID-19 reports are available to view and download from the Departmental website.
   
   Additional Information
   
   Further information on this report is available from:
   
   Health Inequalities Section
   Public Health Information & Research Branch
   Department of Health
   Stormont, BT4 3SQ
   
   Telephone: 028 9052 2501 or 028 9052 2591                              
   
   Email:  healthinequalities@health-ni.gov.uk
   
   Web
8. For media enquiries please contact DoH Press Office by email:  pressoffice@health-ni.gov.uk.
9. Follow us on twitter @healthdpt.
10. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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