By Anne Korn, Biomed Central, May 29, 2020 Evidence available to date suggests that minority ethnic groups in England, particularly black and south Asian people, may be at increased risk of testing positive for Covid-19, compared to people from white British backgrounds, according to a study published in the open access journal BMC Medicine. Previous pandemics have often disproportionately impacted ethnic minorities and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. While early evidence...

I remember my first thoughts when I heard about the Scotland and UK lockdown measures to manage the Covid-19 pandemic. It wasn’t for myself or my wellbeing, or my job, but for my niece and nephews. If I was anxious about this, and their parents were anxious – through being furloughed and working more hours as key workers – how would that translate to them? In particular, the impact of suddenly being removed from school and their peer groups. For my youngest nephew, I wondered how far this...

The Child Poverty Action Group and the Church of England have published findings from a survey looking at the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on low income families in England . The survey of 285 low-income families with children who are eligible for free school meals found that: 8 in 10 respondents reported being in a worse financial position than before the pandemic; and almost half have had physical or mental health problems because of coronavirus. To read the report, click on the link .

YMCA has published findings from research looking at the impact of the coronavirus crisis and lockdown on young people in the UK – “Back on Track – supporting young people out of lockdown”. A survey of 1009 young people aged 11 to 16 carried out between 24-27 July 2020 found that: 92% said that they missed being face-to-face with people; 73% said they were tired of being online all the time; and 56% were worried about falling behind at school. Click on the link .

The Children’s Commissioner for England has published a blog looking at how lockdown during the coronavirus crisis has affected children’s lives at home . The blog discusses: the home environment and access to open space; and family relationships. To read the blog, click on the link .

The National Youth Agency has published a report on young people’s mental and physical health and wellbeing in response to the coronavirus crisis . Click on the link .

NSPCC Learning has published the annual ‘ How safe are our children?’ report which compiles and analyses data from across the UK to show the current child protection landscape. The 2020 report focuses on statistics relating to abuse perpetrated against adolescents and an overview of emerging data on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the safety of all children and young people in the UK. To read the report, click on the link .

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-54483547?xtor=ES-211-[36459_PANUK_NLT_41_ENG_TheTrumpShow_RET_O35]-20201012-[bbcnews_doctorsdiaryaheartbreakinginsightintotheimpactoflockdown_coronavirus] A survey of 2,000 families in Bradford indicates just how bad lockdown is for health - and how being furloughed is enough to tip those on the lowest incomes into financial difficulties. Dr John Wright of Bradford Royal Infirmary considers how to achieve the twin task of protecting people from the virus,...