Publication type
Journal Article
Authors
Publication date
September 15, 2021
Summary:
Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may have a greater impact on people with disabilities than non-disabled people. Our aim was to compare the short-term impact of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and first lockdown on the employment and financial security of working age adults with and without disabilities in the UK. Methods: Secondary analysis of data collected in Wave 9 and the special April, May and June COVID-19 monthly surveys of ‘Understanding Society’, the UK’s main annual household panel study. Results: During the first 3 months of the introduction of the COVID-19 lockdown in the UK, respondents with disability were more likely than their peers to be working reduced hours and experience higher levels of financial stress. These differences were attenuated, but not eliminated, when estimates were adjusted to take account of pre-lockdown financial status. Conclusions: Working age adults with disability were particularly disadvantaged by the financial impact of the COVID-19 lockdown in the UK. The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has stated the need for a disability inclusive COVID-19 government response. The results of our analysis suggest that these pleas have either not been heeded, or if measures have been implemented, they have so far been ineffectual in the UK.
Published in
Journal of Public Health
Volume and page numbers
Volume: 43 , p.472 -478
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdaa270
ISSN
17413842
Subjects
Link
- https://lib.essex.ac.uk/iii/encore/record/C__Rb1641647
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