Section 6: Inequalities and COVID-19

COVID-19 has affected different sections of the population to different degrees. As the pandemic goes on, we are becoming more aware of groups who are at risk for many different reasons.

PHE looked at the numbers and rates of death for people with learning disabilities between 21 March and 5 June 2020. COVID-19 accounted for 54% of deaths of adults with learning disabilities in residential care in the review period, slightly less than for people with learning disabilities generally, but still much more than in the general population. (Research and analysis. COVID 19 deaths of people identified as having learning disabilities: summary. Published 12 November 2020)

We also know that during the COVID-19 lockdown that social stress coupled with restricted movement and social isolation measures, has resulted in increased levels of gender-based violence.

Many have been forced to 'lockdown' at home with an abusive partner while services to support survivors are being disrupted or made inaccessible. Our understanding of the impacts of COVID-19 will become clearer in the future as we are better able to analyse and understand the data and experiences of different groups.