Poor suffer most in pandemics

DR FRANK Atherton, chief medical officer for Wales has confirmed that Covid-19 had a devastating impact on the poorest areas of Wales. Mortality rates in parts of the South Wales Valleys were more than double those in more affluent areas.

History shows us that since the Black Death and previous global pandemics, those at greatest risk were often the poorest and most excluded people.

While viruses did infect the rich and powerful, it was the poorest people who were most likely to suffer and die.

The links between poverty, ill-health and mortality are wellestablished. Of the four countries of the UK,

Wales has consistently had the highest levels of poverty. The south Wales Valleys consistently top league tables for the worst poverty and ill-health.

Before the pandemic, there was a gap of almost 15 years in life expectancy between the poorest and the more prosperous areas of Wales.

It is also long recognised that the quality of a health service tends to be lower in poor a areas.

The disproportionate i impact of the virus has r revealed deeply entrenched inequalities in Wales. Sadly, many people have died and families and communities a are mourning their loved o ones.

This should be a w wake-up call for both the Welsh and UK governments. We urgently need an honest and inclusive debate about the causes of poverty and inequality in Wales and how we can begin to address them.

Martin Hoban

Pontyclun