Māori and Pacific people in New Zealand have a higher risk of hospitalisation for COVID-19.

Steyn, Nicholas; Binny, Rachelle N; Hannah, Kate; Hendy, Shaun C; James, Alex; Lustig, Audrey; Ridings, Kannan; Plank, Michael J; Sporle, Andrew

AIMS We aim to quantify differences in clinical outcomes from COVID-19 infection in Aotearoa New Zealand by ethnicity and with a focus on risk of hospitalisation. METHODS We used data on age, ethnicity, deprivation index, pre-existing health conditions and clinical outcomes on 1,829 COVID-19 cases reported in New Zealand. We used a logistic regression model to calculate odds ratios for the risk of hospitalisation by ethnicity. We also considered length of hospital stay and risk of fatality. RESULTS After controlling for age and pre-existing conditions, we found that Māori have 2.50 times greater odds of hospitalisation (95% CI 1.39-4.51) than non-Māori non-Pacific people. Pacific people have three times greater odds (95% CI 1.75-5.33). CONCLUSIONS Structural inequities and systemic racism in the healthcare system mean that Māori and Pacific communities face a much greater health burden from COVID-19. Older people and those with pre-existing health conditions are also at greater risk. This should inform future policy decisions including prioritising groups for vaccination.