THERE is a “strong correlation” between dying of Covid 19 and living in Bradford’s more deprived areas - a new report has revealed.

Of those who died in Bradford and had Covid 19 listed as the primary cause of death, 40.7 per cent were in the most deprived “quintile” (20 per cent) of the District.

Just seven per cent were from the least deprived quintile.

The report, going to Bradford Council’s Health and Social Care Scrutiny next week, says the current pandemic has “shone a light” on the health inequalities that have existed in Bradford for many years.

Members will be told that there as well as higher death rates among deprived communities, Coronavirus has had a much worse impact on the elderly of the District.

Analysis in the report is based on the 305 deaths registered in Bradford District between March 18 and July 18 where Covid-19 was listed as the primary cause of death.

People in more affluent areas of Bradford enjoy "21 more years of good health" than those in poorer areas

Of those who have died, 52.8 per cent were male and 47.2 per cent were female.

The vast majority of those who died were over 60 - 96.9 per cent of male deaths and 93.8 per cent of female deaths.

For males, 46 per cent of deaths were aged 60-79 and 50.9 per cent were aged 80 years and above.

For females 21.5 per cent of deaths were aged 60 to 79 years and 72.2 per cent were aged 80 years and above.

And 3.1 per cent of male deaths and 4.9 per cent of female deaths were aged 40 to 59.

The disproportionately high number of people from deprived areas that have died from the virus will be discussed by the cross party Council committee.

Recent health reports into Bradford has highlighted how there were major health inequalities even before Covid 19.

As well as having a lower life expectancy, people in the poorest parts of the district had a much lower "healthy life expectancy" - the length of time a person can expect to live without any major health problems.

The Committee will be told: “In Bradford today there is a 10 year gap in Life Expectancy for both men and women between the most and least deprived areas of our District.

“A male who lives in the most deprived ward in Bradford (Manningham) can expect to live approximately 10.5 years less than a male who lives in the least deprived ward (Wharfedale) in Bradford (72.8 years compared to 83.2 years).

“Similarly, a female who lives in Manningham can expect to live approximately 10.3 years less than a female who lives in Wharfedale (78 years compared to 88.3 years).

“In areas of our District with higher unemployment, lower incomes, more social isolation and poorer housing quality, people are experiencing greater levels of poor mental wellbeing and more people are living with more ill health and dying earlier.”

These inequalities have led to 40.7 per cent of Covid deaths coming from the most deprived areas of the district, with the report adding: “The correlation between dying from COVID-19 and deprivation is strong.”

The meeting will be told that one reason for this is that many people living in deprived areas have jobs that are more likely to expose them to infection, such as working in shops, take aways and other jobs that put them in regular contact with other people.

They are also less likely to be able to do their work from home, and are more likely to live in overcrowded housing.

Members will be told that ethnicity is not recorded on death certificates, so it is not possible for a detailed breakdown of deaths by ethnicity.

However, the report adds: “At the moment there is an assumption that more South Asian people are exposed to the virus and have a higher risk of catching it because of high numbers in households, inter-generational living and jobs where they are more exposed.”

The report also details work done to identify the people who have been most "socially vulnerable" to Covid 19.

These are the people who are more likely to suffer from the impacts of lockdown and the isolation that comes with it, and the months long shut down of key sectors of the economy.

They include people living in poor quality housing, self employed people, people with disabilities, unpaid carers and victims of domestic violence.

The committee will also hear what has been done to try to tackle some of the health inequalities, including visiting vulnerable communities and producing advice in different languages.

The meeting will take place online next Tuesday.