
London has been the hardest hit region by COVID-19 and is also the most diverse.
The city is home to 60 per cent of the black population in England and Wales and 50 per cent of the Bangladeshi population.
So what steps need to be taken to better protect BAME Londoners in the event of a second wave or localised spikes in infections?
How can health institutions gain the trust of BAME communities in London?
And what have been the mental health effects of COVID-19, particularly on older Londoners and those with pre-existing conditions such as asthma?
Tomorrow, the London Assembly Health Committee will discuss the experiences of BAME Londoners during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first panel of guests are:
- Dr Somen Banerjee, Director of Public Health, London Borough of Tower Hamlets
- Professor Gurch Randhawa, Professor of Diversity in Public Health & Director of the Institute for Health Research, University of Bedfordshire
In the second part of the meeting, the Committee will discuss the effect of lockdown on Londoners’ mental health. The second panel of guests are:
- Vicki Nash, Head of Policy and Campaigns, Mind
- Lynette Charles, Chief Executive Officer, Mind in Haringey
- Nikki Morris, Chief Executive Officer, Age UK Camden
- Sarah MacFadyen, Head of Policy and External Affairs, British Lung Foundation and Asthma UK
The meeting will take place on Tuesday 11 August at 10:00am.
In line with Government advice, this meeting will take place virtually.
Media and members of the public can watch the meeting live here.
Notes to editors
- Full agenda papers
- Dr Onkar Sahota AM, Chair of the Health Committee is available for interview. See contact details below.
- London Assembly Health Committee
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Lisa Lam on 020 7084 2713. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.