Victoria University of Wellington has been awarded a contract for one of its health research centres to carry out a study into the impacts of COVID-19 on people in New Zealand (NZ).

The study will have a particular focus on key populations including Māori, Pacific people, people with disabilities and those people who contracted COVID-19 through their employment.

The evidence will be used to generate recommendations for how health services can best be oriented to be accessible, equitable, and meet the needs of people with COVID-19.

‘This research project will establish a multidisciplinary longitudinal study of people in New Zealand who have had COVID-19,’ said Dr Ian Town, Chief Science Advisor, Ministry of Health.

‘It’s important that we improve our understanding of the short and longer-term physical, psychological, and economic impacts of COVID-19 on affected people in New Zealand, and to highlight any equity issues faced by this cohort', added Dr Town.

An open tender process by the Ministry of Health called for a collaborative proposal by researchers who together have the credibility, connections and capability to design, lead and execute such a project.

The Research Trust of Victoria University of Wellington have been granted $1.2 million for the project, which will be undertaken by the Health Services Research Centre (HSRC) over a period of approximately 12 months.  The findings will be shared with all participants and published by the research team.