COVID-19 and social exclusion

Researching the experiences of older people living in areas of multiple deprivation.

During the Covid-19 pandemic a group of researchers from MUARG worked with community organisations to carry out a longitudinal study into how older people living in Greater Manchester were experiencing the pandemic.

They found that older people were disproportionately affected by the emergence and spread of COVID-19, whether in hospital, the community or in care homes and that although COVID-19 created new pressures for people of all ages throughout the world, it raised particular concerns for older age groups.

The research has been published in a new book, COVID-19, Inequality and Older People by Policy Press, and is available through Open Access.

Funding

Research is funded by:

  • Age-Friendly Manchester
  • Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisations (GMCVO)
  • Centre for Ageing Better
  • Policy@Manchester

Research team

Research is carried out by:

  • Dr Tine Buffel
  • Dr Patty Doran
  • Dr Mhorag Geoff
  • Dr Camilla Lewis
  • Dr Luciana Lang
  • Prof Chris Phillipson
  • Dr Sophie Yarker

In collaboration with Manchester BME Network, Ethnic Health Forum, Kashmiri Youth Project, GMCVO, the LGBT Foundation.

Contact

For more information or any queries, contact Chris Phillipson and Sophie Yarker.

Awards

Dr Tine Buffel (Sociology), Professor Christopher Phillipson (Sociology) and other MUARG colleagues receiving the 'Outstanding benefit to society through research' award.

Winner, Outstanding benefit to society through research: 'COVID-19, inequality and older people'

This project highlights the impact of COVID-19 on older people across the region, especially in relation to declining social contact and feelings of mental and physical deterioration.

The research identified gaps in service provision for older people arising from the pandemic, in particular groups from minority ethnic communities, people self-identifying as LGTBQ+, and those at risk of social isolation from low incomes or poor health.

Reports

Blogs