Impact of COVID-19 on vulnerable service sector workers' health and wellbeing
Official title: COVID-19 and the Health and Wellbeing of Vulnerable Service Sector Workers across the Life Course
Funded at Harvard University · NIH-10879921 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the health and wellbeing of low-income service workers, especially women and people of color, and it aims to understand how helpful safety programs and workplace rules were in keeping them safe and healthy during this tough time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $640,041 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AG081273-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10879921 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include low-income service sector workers, particularly those who are women and people of color, who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not employed in the service sector or who do not face economic vulnerabilities related to the pandemic may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the health and wellbeing of vulnerable service sector workers, particularly those in low-income positions. It focuses on understanding the economic and health challenges faced by these workers, who are predominantly women and people of color. The study will analyze the effectiveness of safety net programs and workplace policies, such as paid sick leave and masking, in mitigating negative health outcomes during the pandemic. By examining adherence to health guidelines among workers and customers, the research aims to identify factors that influenced health disparities during this crisis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved policies and support systems that enhance the health and wellbeing of vulnerable service sector workers during future public health crises.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown that safety net programs can effectively buffer negative health impacts during economic crises, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Harvard University
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schneider, Danny — Harvard University
- Study coordinator: Schneider, Danny
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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How COVID-19 affected the health and wellbeing of service-sector workers
This project looks at how job loss, frontline exposure, masking rules, and safety-net policies during COVID-19 shaped the health and wellbeing of low-income service workers and their families.
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Structural factors linking minimum wage, COVID-19, and community violence
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Center for Work, Health and Wellbeing at Harvard
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A study in veterans explores whether changing weight through lifestyle habits can improve recovery after COVID-19–related health problems.
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Post-COVID Neuro-Cognitive Changes in Older African Americans
A study explores how COVID-19 affects thinking, memory, and daily life in older African American adults and what might be driving these changes.
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.