Information Box Group
Objectives
To examine longitudinal changes in child health and functioning, before versus after the COVID-19 pandemic, and to examine the extent to which changes in health and functioning are more prevalent for specific population sub-groups and communities.
Methods
A longitudinal follow-up of a nationally representative sample of ~45,000 children and youth in Canada, with pre-pandemic data collected immediately prior to the pandemic in 2019 by Statistics Canada.
Implications
By documenting the scale of change in population health over time (pre- vs. post-pandemic) and by identifying sub-groups most vulnerable to ill-health, this study will provide policymakers and service providers with reliable, high-quality evidence to inform resource allocation, universal and targeted interventions, and mitigation strategies for future pandemic preparedness.