Study Protocol for a Cross-Sectional Survey on the Long-Term Impact of COVID-19 on Latino Health

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the health inequities of Latinos nationwide. Latinos are 1. 5 times more likely to get infected by SARS-CoV-2 than any other racial and ethnic groups and are 2. 3 times more likely to be hospitalized from COVID-19 and 1. 8 times to die from COVID-19. This research protocol aims to examine the effects of COVID-19 among a Latino population and identify social determinants of health that may contribute to increased susceptibility to COVID-19. The COVID-19 Latino Health Study consists of survey measures in nine domains: 1) demographic characteristics; 2) COVID-19 experiences; 3) food, diet, and sleep items; 4) quality of life; 5) health status; 6) smoking behaviors; 7) cancer health; 8) social capital; and 9) social connectedness. The study was conducted in English and Spanish. Respondents were recruited through social media websites (Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram), in-person community gatherings, and partnering with existing community-based organizations. A total of 869 respondents (522 English vs. 347 Spanish) participated in the cross-sectional study. Respondents were from 20 Spanish-speaking countries and territories of Latin America, with many individuals reporting a mixed Latino heritage. On average, Spanish-speaking respondents were 45 years old (SD = 14. 4, range 18–87), with 40. 6% (n = 141) and indicating an annual income of less than 20, 000. At least 55% (n = 291) of Spanish-speaking respondents reported completing a GED or less. Comparatively, Latinos completing the survey in English were, on average, 30 years old (SD = 12. 24, range 18–83), with 49. 1% (n = 256) reporting income over 75, 000. Furthermore, 57. 5% (n = 300) of English respondents completed a bachelor's degree or higher. This protocol explores the social determinants of health experienced by Latinos during the COVID-19 pandemic. We describe the data collection procedure and examine issues and challenges to conducting Latino health research during a pandemic.