Take part in COVID-related study

Volunteers are needed for a study that has been developed by the University of Leicester and NIHR Leicester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) to understand why some people develop more severe COVID-19 than others – particularly those from black and minority ethnic communities. The EXCEED study will also investigate the impact of the pandemic on long-term health conditions.

If you decide to take part, you will be asked to complete short questionnaires about your health. In future, you may be asked to give saliva samples or leftover blood samples from GP or hospital visits to build a more comprehensive picture of your health from your DNA, or genetic material.

You can take part if you:

· Are aged 18 or over

· Live in the Midlands

· Have access to the internet to complete a consent form and questionnaire

The information gathered will help scientists and doctors develop new ways to prevent or treat COVID-19 and long-term conditions during and after the pandemic. Minority ethnic and migrant communities have had higher rates of COVID-19 hospital admissions. To understand why this is happening we especially encourage volunteers to join us from these communities. More information and to register to be part of EXCEED: www.exceed.org.uk