Lifelines started in 2006 with health examinations in Drenthe, Groningen and Friesland. The goal is to conduct scientific research for thirty years to help people age healthier in the future.
In March, the Lifelines researchers started a new large study into the risk factors surrounding the coronavirus. 135,000 people were sent a questionnaire. Researcher Lude Franke is very pleased that nearly 80,000 of them took part. “In recent months we have been able to research quite a few things about corona because so many northerners were willing to fill out questionnaires,” he says. Omrop Fryslân. The research will continue, because a questionnaire will be ready after the turn of the year.
“One of the questions we had was whether becoming ill with the coronavirus could also be hereditary. With this research, we have therefore been able to help identify the first genetic risk factors that could increase the risk of becoming seriously ill,” says Franke.
Shake hands
The study also tried to gain more insight into what the corona virus and the surrounding situation do to people. Researcher Lude Franke: “It appears to have a huge impact on people’s mental health. People often feel lonely, especially young people. When it comes to behavior, we see that older, single men over 65 years of age still often see each other. Shake hands. And highly educated young women who have a family are generally more reluctant to receive a vaccine. The willingness to vaccinate is therefore lower in that group. “
Franke explains that the researchers can form a good picture of people’s reactions, precisely because so many people answered the questions. “At the beginning of the corona epidemic, people were very concerned. In the summer it was noticeably less. But recently the report figure has fallen much lower again.”
Effect of Christmas
For the holidays, people have been asked about their Christmas plans. “After Christmas, we want to ask again how people celebrated Christmas and whether they also became infected.” That is why Franke appeals to all people who previously participated in the study: “Please complete the questionnaire again in January.”
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