Global survey on Covid-19 launched in New Zealand

Researchers from the University of Auckland are working with counterparts in the United States, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Norway and the Netherlands on a global survey to find how people are coping during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The physical distancing and restriction of movements as part of public health measures require people to change their work, home and social lives. It is suspected that more people than ever before are experiencing loneliness and social isolation due to Covid-19 restrictions.

This anonymous online survey is for people aged 18 or older and includes questions on demographics, health, health behaviours, loneliness, isolation and personal experiences around Covid-19. The data will help researchers to build a picture of how people are coping during the pandemic especially in relation to loneliness and social isolation.

This survey data can offer invaluable insights into life before and during the Covid-19 pandemic, including how people have faced key challenges and what their coping strategies have been at a country and global level.

The international research initiative the project pools leading international expertise to support governments and policymakers on decisions to address challenges in this area. This study is being undertaken by researchers who are part of the International Loneliness and Isolation Research NetworK (I-LINK) )

The participating universities are: The Institute of Public Health, Ulster University, Trinity College Dublin, Maynooth University, St James’s Hospital Dublin, Brunel, Boston College, Columbia University, George Mason University.; University of Auckland & Swansea University, Nipissing University; NORC at the University of Chicago; Brigham Young University; Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam; University of California, San Francisco.