Decision-makers need clear information about the prevalence of coronavirus as well as its impacts on the American people and our society. The COVID Impact Survey will provide national and regional statistics about physical health, mental health, economic security, and social dynamics in the United States.
Why a Non-Governmental, Independent Survey?
With the increasing number of COVID-19 cases reported daily across the United States and a limited health surveillance infrastructure in place, a statistically valid survey that includes physical health, mental health, and economic security will provide decision-makers and the American public vital information in coming weeks.
The COVID Impact Survey aims to fill an information gap that currently exists in the United States, supported by philanthropy and government in the absence of a current analogous government survey. While the Data Foundation and other organizations are encouraging the federal government to launch similar, larger-scale efforts in coming months, data collection now is vital to our country’s future choices and we cannot wait for the government to act. Importantly, this information will be critical for policymakers in determining future actions for stay-at-home orders, social distancing policies, and other actions to combat the virus.
National and Regional Statistics
The random sample survey offers national insights about the American population’s experiences, including health, economic, and social well-being questions. Information will also be published as open data for use by policymakers and researchers. Statistics are available for more than a dozen states and metropolitan areas, recognizing the regional impacts may vary substantially.
Survey Questions
With input from dozens of the country’s leading public health, economic, and social science researchers, the survey includes 25 questions. A full draft of the survey questionnaire and methodology are available here and other researchers are encouraged to adopt the instrument for future collaboration and expanded research opportunities.