Covid-19: Risk model identifies 800,000 vulnerable individuals
Summary
Research, commissioned by England’s chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, and funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), found there are several health and personal factors, such as age, ethnicity and body mass index, as well as certain medical conditions and treatments, which, when combined, could mean someone is at higher risk from Covid-19. Lead researcher Julia Hippisley-Cox, a general practitioner and professor of clinical epidemiology and general practice at Oxford University’s Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, said: “I am delighted that, less than a year after being funded by the NIHR, the model is now being used to help protect people at most risk from Covid-19.” The technology analyses these risk factors based on medical records, to assess whether a person may be more vulnerable than was previously understood, helping clinicians to provide vaccination to them more quickly and ensuring that patients can benefit from additional advice and support. Jenny Harries, deputy chief medical officer for England, said: “This new model is a tribute to our health and technology researchers. The model’s data-driven approach to medical risk assessment will help the NHS identify further individuals who may be at high risk from Covid-19 due to a combination of personal and health factors.” Sarah Wilkinson, chief executive of NHS Digital, said: “This extends the work we did last year to develop the Shielded Patients List, which included individuals with one of a number of specific clinical conditions. “As with all research during the pandemic, we are constantly learning and so can continue to further enhance the model as data becomes available,” said a spokesperson for the Royal College of Physicians.