DALLAS (WBAP/KLIF) – UT Southwestern Medical Center and Texas Health Resources are launching the DFW COVID-19 Prevalence Study and are asking for volunteers.
According to participating doctors, the study is meant to better understand ethnic and socioeconomic disparities of COVID-19 infections.
“These data are essential to have as soon as possible,” Dr. Amit Singal said.
According to UT Southwestern, thousands of North Texans have been diagnosed with COVID-19, and many more never knew they were infected. Doctors participating in the study said Monday that one of the major challenges in battling COVID-19 has been availability of testing and lack of understanding why certain populations, particularly African Americans and Latinx – are more impacted than others.
This study engages diverse residents from Dallas and Tarrant Counties, including a range of socioeconomic statuses and workers in essential jobs, to calculate an accurate risk so we can help public health leaders better respond to this and future pandemics.
“Any adult person living in Dallas and Tarrant County can participate in the study,” said Dr. Singal.
Individuals who sign up may answer surveys online or via phone and may be further selected for additional tests to determine whether they have or ever had COVID-19.
“Our study seeks critical answers we still don’t have – how many in the community have been infected with COVID-19 and why some communities are being harder hit. The large data set from 30,000 community volunteers will allow us to improve the strategies for countering its spread as we continue to restore business and school operations,” said Dr. Singal. “Since launching the study, we’ve had ongoing requests beyond those directly invited to participate, so we’ve expanded the parameters to provide an avenue for anyone living in Dallas and Tarrant counties to participate.”
Volunteers are needed from all racial/ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, but particularly from African American and Hispanic communities, which are being disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.
For information on how to volunteer CLICK HERE or call 833-947-2577.
Listen to Clayton Neville’s story below:
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