Risk of transmission of COVID-19 among people with disability and their support staff
Risk of transmission of COVID-19 among people with disability and their support staff
Lead researcher: Anne Kavanagh
Melbourne School of Population and Global Health
Team members: Sue Olney, George Disney, Kathryn Snow
People with disability often have underlying health conditions that make them more susceptible to serious illness or death if they contract COVID-19. They are at risk of contracting the virus if they have disability workers entering their living, working and recreational spaces, and they are less able to physically distance and limit exposure to others in close contact. Some live in congregate settings, further increasing the risk of exposure and spread. This project will collect data from people with disability and support workers to map networks of care. The findings could help governments and organisations plan to prevent and respond to outbreaks among people with disabilities and their workers and plan for risk of disruption to essential care and support if disability workers are infected.
Research outcomes
You can view complete project details on the project page here: https://mspgh.unimelb.edu.au/centres-institutes/centre-for-health-equity/about-us/forgotten-workforce-in-covid-19#reports
Survey results
Disability support work during COVID-19 - Survey results
Publications
Kavanagh A, Dimov S, Shields M, McAllister A, Dickinson H & Kavenagh M (2020). Disability support workers: the forgotten workforce in COVID-19, Research Report. Melbourne: The University of Melbourne.
KAVANAGH, ANNE; Dimov, Stefanie; Shields, Marissa; McAllister, Ashley; DICKINSON, HELEN; KAVENAGH, MELLISSA (2021): Disability Support Workers: Follow up findings from the forgotten workforce in COVID-19 - Research Report.. University of Melbourne. Online resource. https://doi.org/10.26188/14331344.v7
KAVANAGH, ANNE; DICKINSON, HELEN; Devine, Alexandra; Dimov, Stefanie; Huska, Marie (2021): Managing COVID-19 outbreaks in disability residential settings: Lessons from Victoria's second wave of COVID-19. University of Melbourne. Online resource. https://doi.org/10.26188/14669568
KAVANAGH, ANNE; Dimov, Stefanie; DICKINSON, HELEN; McAllister, Ashley; Shields, Marissa; KAVENAGH, MELLISSA (2021): Disability Support Workers: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and communication needs. University of Melbourne. Online resource. https://doi.org/10.26188/14456577