Impact of COVID-19 on healthcare workers' mental health and heart health
Official title: Psychological symptoms in healthcare workers following the COVID-19 pandemic and relationship to long-term cardiovascular risk
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11020974 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how healthcare workers, especially those in emergency departments, are feeling mentally after the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on issues like anxiety, stress, and trouble sleeping, and how these feelings might affect their heart health in the long run.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $678,793 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL157341-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11020974 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation are healthcare workers, especially those in emergency departments, who have experienced psychological distress during or after the COVID-19 pandemic.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not healthcare workers or who did not experience significant psychological symptoms related to the pandemic may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the psychological symptoms experienced by healthcare workers (HCWs) following the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly focusing on anxiety, stress, and insomnia. It aims to identify the long-term effects of these psychological issues on cardiovascular health among emergency department HCWs. By examining the predictors of these symptoms, the study seeks to inform strategies to protect the health of frontline workers who faced unprecedented challenges during the pandemic. The methodology includes assessing psychological distress and its correlation with cardiovascular risk factors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental health support and cardiovascular care for healthcare workers affected by the pandemic.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that healthcare workers are at increased risk for psychological distress, suggesting that this study's focus on long-term effects is both relevant and necessary.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shechter, Ari — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Shechter, Ari
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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-
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.