North hit harder than rest of England by Covid-19, study says
11 November 2020, 05:57
The North has been the worst-affected area in England during the coronavirus pandemic, increasing the levels of inequality in the country, according to a study.
Even after factoring in deprivation, ethnicity and the age structure of the population, the mortality rate in the Northern Powerhouse region was worse than elsewhere.
The report, compiled by the Northern Health Science Alliance and other organisations, included a list of 12 recommendations to "level-up" the country, including renewed efforts to tackle child poverty.
Read more: Universities in England told to end face-to-face teaching in December
The study put a conservative estimate on the economic cost of the increased mortality in the North at £6.86 billion. It also estimated that the pandemic's impact on the region's mental health would cost around £5 billion a year.
The report led by scientists from the universities of Newcastle, Manchester, York and Liverpool found 57.7 more people per 100,000 died in the Northern Powerhouse than the rest of England between March and July.
Covid: 'We may vaccinate everybody that needs it before next winter,' expert says
They also said that since the pandemic, adverse trends in poverty, education, employment and mental health for children and young people have worsened.
Clare Bambra, Professor of Public Health at Newcastle University, said: "Our report highlights that we are not all in the pandemic together with the Northern regions being hardest hit.
Read more: Students in England to get coronavirus tests for Christmas at home
Read more: UK coronavirus death toll rises by 532 - highest daily increase since mid-May
"Health and wealth in the Northern Powerhouse lagged behind the rest of the country even before the Covid pandemic, and over the last year our significant regional inequalities have been exacerbated."
Hannah Davies, of the Northern Health Science Alliance, said: "Health inequalities between the North and the rest of England have been growing for over a decade.
"This report demonstrates the impact that has had on the productivity of the region and how it has led Covid-19 to take a devastating grip on the North."
