Addressing structural discrimination: prioritising people with mental health and addiction issues during the COVID-19 pandemic

Structural discrimination worsens physical health inequities and significantly reduces life expectancy for people with mental health and addiction issues. Aotearoa has recently made some notable changes in health policy by formally recognising the physical health needs of people with mental health and addiction issues. The COVID-19 vaccination sequencing framework provides an important opportunity to protect and promote the health of people with addiction and mental health issues. An expert advisory group, convened as part of the Aotearoa Equally Well collaborative, considered findings of a literature review on the vulnerability of people with mental health and addiction issues of contracting and dying from COVID-19. Evidence indicates an association between mental health and addiction issues and infection risk and worse outcomes. The group concluded mental health and addiction issues should be recognised as underlying health conditions that increase COVID-19 vulnerability, and that people with these issues should be prioritised for vaccination. For too long the health system has failed to address the life expectancy gap of people with addiction and mental health issues. Now is an opportunity to change the kōrero. People with mental health and addiction issues experience significant physical health inequities. Addressing these inequities must be integral in modern health policy-including our COVID-19 pandemic response.