COvid-19 measures and Child Outcomes (COCO): Health development and equality in young families
The COVID-19 pandemic has presented profound challenges for families with preschool children (aged 0-4 years), particularly those already in vulnerable conditions, including families facing socio-economic disadvantages or with a migration background. Implementation of lockdowns and social distancing measures led to unhealthier lifestyles for children and mental struggles for parents. While many families may exhibit resilience and adaptability over time, the measures may have a long-term negative impact on vulnerable families.
Goal
The aim of the COCO-project is to investigate the medium-term impact of COVID-19 measures on health, development, and equity of preschool children (0-4 years) and mental health of their parents. We aim to study personal and environmental factors that contribute to the negative impact of the COVID-19 measures and factors that predict resilience. Based on the results, we will develop recommendations to promote health in young families in future pandemic situations.
Approach
An innovative mixed-methods approach will be used, combining various research methods. We will study the health of young children and their parents before, during and after the COVID-19 measures using data from 2 large prospective cohorts: the population-based Sarphati cohort, involving preschool children and their parents, and the HELIUS study, in which we focus on parents with diverse migration backgrounds. By applying digital storytelling we will delve deeper into past and current experiences of young families and their values and needs for future pandemics. Together with co-researchers and parents we will translate all findings into recommendations for future pandemic situations.
Collaboration partners
The multidisciplinary project team includes outstanding researchers in epidemiology, participatory research and COVID-19 research, and key societal partners with strong anchors in practice and policy. This team constitutes a mixture of new and existing collaborations of researchers of the Department of Health Sciences at the VU Amsterdam, the Public Health Service (GGD) Amsterdam that houses the Sarphati cohort, the Amsterdam UMC that houses the Helius study and Cliëntenbelang Amsterdam (CBA), an interest group striving to improve the quality of life of people living in precarious situations. Parents with diverse backgrounds are involved as co-researchers throughout the project.
(Expected) Results
The results are expected starting from the second year of the project in the form of scientific publications and factsheets for parents and professionals. These will demonstrate to what extent the COVID-19 measures have impacted the health and development of young children and the mental health of parents up to 3 years after the pandemic. Additionally, we will create a compilation film of the digital storytelling study to share the experiences of young families with the general public. We will write an advisory report for policymakers with recommendations for promoting health and preventing inequality in future pandemic situations.