Covid-19

O’Neill School at the forefront of coronavirus research

The coronavirus continues devastating communities around the globe. Hundreds of thousands have lost their lives. Many more have lost their jobs and sources of income. And most everyone has lost the sense of normalcy we were all accustomed to just months ago. But the scope of COVID-19 extends beyond our hospitals and medical facilities. From its impact on vulnerable populations and the effectiveness of executive orders to the toll the virus is taking on those suffering from energy insecurity, the Indiana University O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs is at the forefront of discovering the critical, yet often overlooked, effects of this global pandemic.

Kosali Simon leans on a study desk.

When we think about vulnerable communities, there’s an overlap between who’s vulnerable in a healthcare or health sense as well as who’s vulnerable in an economic sense.

— Kosali Simon, Professor, O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs; Herman B Wells Endowed Professor; and Associate Vice Provost for Health Sciences

22%of Americans at or below 200% of the federal poverty line had to reduce or forgo basic household needs to pay an energy bill in May 2020.

11.1%U.S. unemployment rate in June 2020. Data show certain populations are more vulnerable to job loss than others.

17%Jail population decrease among a sample of 557 jails across the country due to COVID.