Exploring the epidemiology of Post-COVID-19 Syndrome using national linked data
What we are doing
This PhD will explore how Long Covid prevalence varies according to COVID-19 vaccination status and variants, and quantify the clinical and labour market outcomes of Long Covid. The research will use data from the Coronavirus Infection Survey (CIS), a longitudinal, population-based study of over 500,000 individuals from randomly sampled UK households, linked to electronic health records and administrative sources.
Why we are doing it
Post-COVID-19 syndrome, or Long Covid, may broadly be defined as symptoms persisting or developing months after, and resulting from, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Long Covid is highly prevalent, affecting an estimated 2 million people in the UK alone in May 2022. However, there are currently no treatments for this chronic condition, thus there is potential for large-scale, long-term population health and socio-economic consequences. Epidemiological evidence is therefore needed to inform future healthcare service provision and national economic policies.
What the benefits will be and to whom?
The outputs of the project will be used to inform public health messaging around the risks associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, healthcare demand and capacity modelling for Long Covid services, and national labour market and social policies.
Who we are working with
This PhD is being conducted as a partnership between the University of Leicester and the Office for National Statistics.
Contact
Daniel Ayoubkhani, PhD student at the University of Leicester, Principal Statistician at the Office for National Statistics, da283@leicester.ac.uk.