The article shows how individuals’ vulnerability to the risk of COVID-19 infection in South Africa varies due to their health, socioeconomic, and living circumstances, which also affect the effectiveness of implementing non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs). It has been published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

In the study, the authors analysed socioeconomic-related inequalities in COVID-19 vulnerability using data from the nationally representative South African General Household Survey 2019, and developed a COVID-19 vulnerability index, which includes health and social risk factors for COVID-19 exposure and susceptibility.

The article was co-authored by Professor David Gordon, Director of the Bristol Poverty Institute; colleagues at the University of Cape Town, Dr Muna Shifa and Professor Murray Leibbrandt; and Dr Mary Zhang, University of Oxford, who was an active and valued member of the BPI for many years during her time at the University of Bristol.

The BPI Director and Manager are currently in Cape Town working with colleagues at the University of Cape Town on poverty research methods training and exploring opportunities for collaboration.