Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic exposes and amplifies pre-existing inequalities even in places with relatively well-controlled outbreaks such as Hong Kong. This study aimed to explore whether the socioeconomically disadvantaged fare worse via various types of worry in terms of their mental health and well-being. Between September and October 2020, 1067 adults in Hong Kong were recruited via a cross-sectional population-wide telephone survey. The inter-relationship between deprivation, types of worry, mental health disorders, and subjective well-being was assessed using structural equation modelling. Results showed significant total effects of deprivation on worries about being infected (p = 0.002), economic activities and livelihood (p < 0.001), and personal savings (p < 0.001), as well as mental health disorders (p < 0.001) and subjective well-being (p < 0.001). Specifically, worry about economic activities and livelihood partly mediated the total effect of deprivation on mental health disorders (p = 0.004), whereas worry about personal savings and worry about economic activities and livelihood partially mediated the total effect of deprivation on subjective well-being (p = 0.007 and 0.002, respectively). Socioeconomic inequality, particularly in mental health and well-being, could be exacerbated via people’s economic concerns during the pandemic, which was largely induced by the COVID-19 containment measures rather than the pandemic per se given the relatively low COVID-19 incidence in Hong Kong.
Highlights
The COVID-19 pandemic exposes and amplifies pre-existing inequalities even in places with relatively well-controlled outbreaks such as Hong Kong
This distinction would be much more difficult to achieve in places being harder hit by the pandemic, where much higher proportions of the population are acquainted with people who had contracted the disease, and would have more types of COVID-19-related worry and concern specific to having the disease, including but not limited to worry over the prognosis as well as the related medical expenses
Regarding types of worries due to COVID-19, 50.8% respondents were worried about being infected, 44.6% were worried about economic activities and livelihood, 3.0% were worried about the supply of protective equipment (PPE), and 34.2% were worried about personal savings
Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic exposes and amplifies pre-existing inequalities even in places with relatively well-controlled outbreaks such as Hong Kong. By focusing on a study setting with lower COVID-19 incidence and mortality, we would be able to distinguish the impact of the virus itself and the impact of the containment measures on people’s health more effectively This distinction would be much more difficult to achieve in places being harder hit by the pandemic, where much higher proportions of the population are acquainted with people who had contracted the disease, and would have more types of COVID-19-related worry and concern specific to having the disease, including but not limited to worry over the prognosis as well as the related medical expenses. By addressing the two research questions raised above, we would be able to distinguish and highlight the potential impact of the COVID-19-related containment measures on people’s health by their socioeconomic position
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
