Minority and Rural Coronavirus Insights Study (MRCIS)

The MRCIS Minority and Rural Coronavirus Insights Study (MRCIS) is the largest study of its kind on COVID-19 in medically underserved communities.

The Minority and Rural Coronavirus Insights Study (MRCIS) is the largest study of its kind on COVID-19 in medically underserved communities. Historically, conducting research in these communities has been challenging due to a lack of infrastructure and medical mistrust. To overcome this the National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) has partnered with Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), which support uninsured, underinsured, and rural populations. MRCIS recruited 3,735 participants during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2021. These participants will be followed for five years. Biannual surveys will be used to collect self reported data during the follow up period. The MRCIS cohort includes diverse participants that represent various racial/ethnic identity groups (White, American Indian, Asian, African American, Native Hawaiian, Other, Hispanic/Latino), and income levels, across five states in the US (California, Florida, Louisiana, Illinois, Ohio). Using tests like the RNA Nucleic Acid Amplifications Test (NAAT) and antibody tests, we found that 26% of our participants had been infected with SARS-CoV-2 at baseline. We are currently conducting analyses on pre-existing and incident co-morbidities in the MRCIS cohort. These co-morbidities include cardiometabolic outcomes and long-haul covid syndrome. Other areas of research relevant to the MRCIS cohort will be explored on an ongoing basis.