Risk of Covid-19 Severe Outcomes and Mortality in Migrants and Ethnic Minorities Compared to the General Population in the European WHO Region: a Systematic Review

Elena Mazzalai (), Dara Giannini, Maria Elena Tosti, Franca D’Angelo, Silvia Declich, Anissa Jaljaa, Susanna Caminada, Federica Turatto, Chiara Marchi, Angela Gatta, Aurora Angelozzi, Giulia Marchetti, Scilla Pizzarelli and Maurizio Marceca
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Elena Mazzalai: Sapienza University of Rome
Dara Giannini: Sapienza University of Rome
Maria Elena Tosti: Istituto Superiore di Sanità
Franca D’Angelo: Istituto Superiore di Sanità
Silvia Declich: Italian Society of Migration Medicine (SIMM)
Anissa Jaljaa: Sapienza University of Rome
Susanna Caminada: Sapienza University of Rome
Federica Turatto: Sapienza University of Rome
Chiara Marchi: Sapienza University of Rome
Angela Gatta: Sapienza University of Rome
Aurora Angelozzi: Department for Organisational Development, Local Health Unit Roma 1
Giulia Marchetti: Italian Society of Migration Medicine (SIMM)
Scilla Pizzarelli: Istituto Superiore di Sanità
Maurizio Marceca: Sapienza University of Rome

Journal of International Migration and Integration, 2023, vol. 24, issue 3, No 17, 1305-1335

Abstract: Abstract The Covid-19 pandemic has had a major impact on migrants and ethnic minorities (MEMs). Socio-economic factors and legal, administrative and language barriers are among the reasons for this increased susceptibility. The aim of the study is to investigate the impact of Covid-19 on MEMs compared to the general population in terms of serious outcomes. We conducted a systematic review collecting studies on the impact of Covid-19 on MEMs compared to the general population in the WHO European Region regarding hospitalisation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mortality, published between 01/01/2020 and 19/03/2021. Nine researchers were involved in selection, study quality assessment and data extraction. Of the 82 studies included, 15 of the 16 regarding hospitalisation for Covid-19 reported an increased risk for MEMs compared to the white and/or native population and 22 out of the 28 studies focusing on the ICU admission rates found an increased risk for MEMs. Among the 65 studies on mortality, 43 report a higher risk for MEMs. An increased risk of adverse outcomes was reported for MEMs. Social determinants of health are among the main factors involved in the genesis of health inequalities: a disadvantaged socio-economic status, a framework of structural racism and asymmetric access to healthcare are linked to increased susceptibility to the consequences of Covid-19. These findings underline the need for policymakers to consider the socio-economic barriers when designing prevention plans.

Keywords: Covid-19; Ethnic minorities; Migrants; Severe outcomes; Europe; Health inequalities (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1007/s12134-023-01007-x

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