John Tomaney: deprived areas of England suffer worse COVID-19 death rates than rich areas

The latest regional analysis of the impact of COVID-19 reveals that wealthier patients are more likely to recover, while the less wealthy are more likely to die from COVID-19. At the beginning of May the Office of National Statistics breakdown showed that deprived urban areas of England and Wales have suffered far higher death rates from coronavirus than more prosperous and rural locations. 

Public Health England figures show that the North East has now overtaken London to have the highest rates of infection in the country. Professor John Tomaney discusses industrialisation and lack of essential services funding to help to shed some light on why the North East is suffering.

Listen to the episode on the BBC Radio 4 website from 6 minutes and 20 seconds.