UK-REACH

UK-REACH investigates ethnic disparities in COVID-19 outcomes among UK healthcare workers by integrating longitudinal healthcare records, survey data, and genomic sequencing for analysis.

Key Features:

• Cohort Composition: The cohort comprises 17,891 healthcare workers aged 16–89 years (mean age 44) with substantial representation of ethnic minority participants.
• Healthcare Record Linkage: Participants provided consent for linkage of their healthcare records for up to 25 years from the date of consent.
• Genomic Data: Genomic sequencing data were collected from saliva samples.
• Survey Instruments: Online questionnaires captured demographics, COVID-19 exposure at work and home, workforce redeployment, mental health measures, workforce attrition, and vaccine opinions at baseline (n=15,119) and follow-ups at 6 months (n=5,632) and 12 months.
• Data Types: The study used both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods.

Scientific Applications:

• Disparity analysis: Assess genetic predispositions, socio-economic factors, occupational exposures, and mental health impacts contributing to ethnic differences in COVID-19 susceptibility and severity.
• Longitudinal analysis: Analyze temporal changes in COVID-19 outcomes and occupational and mental health impacts using repeated measures over baseline and follow-up timepoints.
• Epidemiology and policy: Support epidemiological studies and inform public health policy and targeted interventions aimed at mitigating health disparities in healthcare settings.

Methodology:

Integration of linked longitudinal healthcare records with genomic sequencing data from saliva samples and questionnaire data for combined analysis.