Centene Corp. and the National Minority Quality Forum will co-research how COVID-19 is disproportionately affecting racial minorities and rural communities.
The "Minority and Rural Health Coronavirus Study," announced June 8, is a prospective longitudinal study of the risk factors linked with the disproportionate effect COVID-19 is having on racial minorities and rural communities. With Quest Diagnostics and other organizations, Centene and NMQF will gather information by conducting COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction tests and antibody tests at federally qualified health centers in five states.
Working with researchers from hospitals and organizations nationwide, Centene and NMQF will use a phase-in approach to follow a volunteer cohort of 5,000 racial and ethnic minority participants for five years to study the effects of COVID-19. Participants who test positive for COVID-19 will be monitored and receive daily medical advice.
Read more about the study here.