A Southwark hospital has launched a wellness clinic for Black and Asian people due to the disproportionate health effects of COVID-19.
The six-month project by Guy’s and St Thomas’ is working with local faith and community groups, and will be available for people in Southwark and Lambeth.
Research released in June 2020 by Public Health England showed that death rates from COVID-19 were higher for Black and Asian ethnic groups when compared to White ethnic groups.
One of the reasons given was a high level of pre-existing health conditions – something further shown by research by Guy’s and St Thomas’ charity, which found that people from Black and Asian communities in Lambeth and Southwark experience a greater burden of long-term health conditions than people from White ethnic groups, and are likely to get their first long-term condition years earlier.
Dr Rashidat Rabiu, a specialist doctor in sexual reproductive health at Guy’s and St Thomas’, said: “It’s crucial that we identify people living with multiple long-term health conditions so they can get the right diagnosis and treatment.
Patients will be offered tests for high cholesterol, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and screening for sexually transmitted infections.
Running on kind donations to the Guy’s and St Thomas’ charity, the clinic runs on Thursdays between 4pm and 7pm at the Walworth Road Clinic in Southwark.