Thousands of people will help scientists to track the long-term health effects of the coronavirus crisis

Thousands of people will help scientists to track the long-term health effects of the coronavirus crisis





The Rhineland cohort study in Bonn, Germany, has collected blood samples from 5,000 people so far to test for antibodies. (Martin Meissner/AFP/Getty)

Huge cohort studies pivot to COVID-19

Cohort studies set up before the coronavirus crisis are switching tracks to look at the pandemic’s long-term effects. Cohort studies collect genetic and lifestyle data on thousands of people in an effort to untangle the complex web of factors that lead to some disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease. But scientists are now repurposing those massive data sets to understand the epidemiology of the COVID-19, its impact on physical and mental health and its socioeconomic consequences. “We are all different and these larger pre-existing cohorts will be very valuable in helping us understand which of our biological or lifestyle factors put us at risk,” says epidemiologist Ralf Reintjes.

Nature | 6 min read