National Registry Gathers Key Data on COVID-19
By Lesa R. Walker, MD

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As COVID-19 continues to affect our communities, it is essential to understand the impacts of this outbreak.

A new national data platform, developed right here in Texas, can help us do just that: the COVID-19 Registry.

Rice University in Houston, the Environmental Defense Fund, and many local Texas health agencies created the COVID-19 Registry to identify who has been (and continues to be) impacted by the pandemic, and to understand how COVID-19 affects the health and well-being of our communities. The Registry gathers key health, economic, and environmental data, and was built upon the framework of the Texas Flood Registry implemented after Hurricane Harvey.

The COVID-19 Registry staff follow strict protocols for protecting data confidentiality and security.  Regular data summary reports are provided to the public and government officials. These reports do not include participants’ personal identifying information. The Registry’s real-time data helps health officials identify health and economic needs and develop strategies to meet those needs.

I ask you to participate in the COVID-19 Registry, share it, and engage colleagues, patients, friends, and family members.

To help ensure social and environmental justice, it is critical that all voices be heard and that data reflects a broad and inclusive sampling of our communities. The COVID-19 survey (available in English and Spanish) is open to all people 18 years or older residing in the U.S., whether or not they have been tested for or diagnosed with COVID-19. It is voluntary and takes 10 minutes to complete.

Please assist in generating more awareness of and participation in the Registry. Such collaborative support could take various forms: sharing via emails, newsletters, social media, etc.

Outreach materials (sample social media posts and a flyer) are available in English and Spanish. If you want these sent to you or have any questions about the Registry, contact Marie Lynn Miranda, PhD, the project’s lead investigator, or Rashida Callender via email.

Lesa R. Walker, MD, MPH, is a public health and preventive medicine specialist in Austin. 

Last Updated On

August 31, 2020

Originally Published On

August 31, 2020

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