You can help researchers learn about the effects of COVID-19 even if you don’t have it

The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting everyone in different ways, including physically, mentally, emotionally and economically. That’s why researchers at the University of Notre Dame are coordinating with All IN for Health to create the Indiana COVID-19 Registry, which will help track the spread and impact of the coronavirus. All IN for Health is one of the key programs of the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CTSI).

The registry is open to anyone 18 years or older, and you don’t need to have COVID-19 to participate. It involves a series of surveys, with the first asking about your background and medical history, mental health, hand-washing habits, household size, recent travel history and health status, among other topics. It takes about 10 minutes to complete and is available in English and Spanish. The follow-up surveys are shorter and will ask similar questions, which will allow the registry to track changes in impacts and behavior over time.

“The Indiana CTSI is in a unique position to connect with people across the state, which will help us get more perspective about this unprecedented pandemic,” said Dr. Sarah Wiehe, co-director of the Indiana CTSI. “By understanding the needs of our communities now, as well as over time, we will be better prepared to improve health through research in the future.”

The registry will include an online dashboard with information about symptoms and testing, mental health impacts, exposures, public health practices and household impacts at state and county levels. The dashboard will be published and updated online, but will not reveal any information that could identify people who participate. Data from the registry will be stored in a highly secure system built and maintained by the Center for Research Computing at Notre Dame.

For more information or to participate in the registry, go here.