A national survey was launched in August 2023 aimed at collecting information on the lived experiences of the 1.2 million immunocompromised people and their families who are still shielding or living restricted lives due to Covid-19, comparing their experiences with the general population.
Over 800 people, currently still shielding, responded to the questionnaire.
The objective of this latest research is to provide data which will raise awareness and develop policy interventions to improve the care and provision received by immunocompromised people.
The survey highlights how continuing vulnerability to Covid-19 affects mental health and political engagement to gain a better understanding of how the ongoing implications of Covid-19 compare with those of the general population.
Download the full APPG Forsaken but Engaged Report [PDF 6.2MB]
Download the slides presented to the APPG: Forsaken but Engaged APPG slides [PDF 3.4MB]
The report was presented by Dr Luca Bernardi and Dr Jo Daniels in the House of Commons at the meeting organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Vulnerable Groups to Pandemics on December 6th, 2023. The slides of the presentation are available above.
Users are encouraged to inform the investigators and cite the report: "Bernardi, L., & Daniels, J.(2023). Forsaken but engaged: An inquiry into the psychological aspects of COVID-19, mental health, and political engagement of immunocompromised people. University of Liverpool & University of Bath. https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/humanities-and-social-sciences/research/coronavirus-research/forgotten-forsaken/"
Reports findings
- Compared to the general population, Immunocompromised people report higher levels of worry due to Covid-19.
- Immunocompromised people report lower levels of mental health and wellbeing compared to the general public.
- Immunocompromised people report higher rates of diagnosis of mental health conditions than the general public.
- Immunocompromised people report higher rates of diagnosis of mental health conditions during the Covid-19 pandemic compared to the general public
Worry due to COVID-19 is higher among immunocompromised
Depression is higher among immunocompromised
Compared to the general public, Immunocompromised people report:
- lower levels of perceived responsiveness of the political system
- lower trust in government
- lower satisfaction with the economy
- lower satisfaction with democracy in the UK
- lower satisfaction with the way the UK government handled the pandemic in comparison to the general public
Feelings of representation are lower among immunocompromised
Trust in government is very low among immunocompromised
Immunocompromised people report higher levels of political participation in those forms that fit in with their health restrictions and can be undertaken at home.
Download the full APPG Forsaken but Engaged Report [PDF 6.2MB]
Download the slides presented to the APPG: Forsaken but Engaged APPG slides [PDF 3.4MB]
It is imperative that planning around future treatments to protect the immunocompromised is prioritised and existing treatments made more accessible in order to liberate and protect the large numbers of people who remain marginalised and excluded from the economy, employment and social life.
Bob Blackman MP, Chair of the APPG on Vulnerable Groups to Pandemics