Update for participants on the COVID-19 Antibody Study

The CLSA COVID-19 Antibody Study is using blood samples to determine the presence of antibodies that indicate immunity to COVID-19. The CLSA expected that tests would be completed, and results would be available after three months. However, the changing nature of the pandemic and scientific advances in understanding the immune response to the virus that causes COVID-19 have delayed our study timelines. For more information, please see the Update on COVID-19 Antibody Results.

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March 12, 2021

CLSA COVID-19 Questionnaire Study data now available

Data from the CLSA COVID-19 Questionnaire Study are now available for access by approved researchers. Learn more.

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December 17, 2020

COVID-19 Study Data Dashboard

Baseline findings from the CLSA COVID-19 Study are now available through an interactive dashboard. 

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November 24, 2020

CLSA COVID-19 Antibody Study

The CLSA COVID-19 Antibody Study collects and analyzes blood samples from more than 19,000 CLSA participants in 10 provinces. Study participants also complete a questionnaire, either by phone or online, that collects information about symptoms, risk factors, health-care use and the psychosocial and economic impacts of COVID-19.

CLSA participants are invited to take part in one of two ways:

Learn more about the CLSA COVID-19 Antibody Study here.
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October 1, 2020

CLSA launches national study to understand coronavirus immunity in aging adults.

Read the news story here. 

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The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) collecting data on aging adults’ experience during COVID-19.

Read the news story here.

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Change to the frequency of CLSA COVID-19 questionnaires

The number of weekly and monthly questionnaires has been revised for the CLSA COVID-19 study.

• Participants who take part through web-based questionnaires will now receive four weekly questionnaires instead of 12, and four monthly questionnaires instead of three.
• Participants who take part by telephone interview will now receive two biweekly telephone questionnaires instead of six, and four monthly questionnaires instead of three.
• Participants will receive their first monthly questionnaire approximately four weeks after completing their last weekly or biweekly questionnaire.

Please contact us at info@clsa-elcv.ca with any questions.

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A message to CLSA participants about COVID-19

The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) is dedicated to supporting and improving the health and quality of life for all people living in Canada through conducting high-quality research.

In the past month we have all been challenged by the disruption and risks the coronavirus, or COVID-19, has introduced into our lives. From physical distancing and social isolation to job uncertainty and travel restrictions, we have seen unprecedented change. At the CLSA, this has also meant adapting how we do research to act in the best interests of our participants and staff.

On March 16th, the CLSA suspended face-to-face data collection with participants. In the meantime, we are continuing to collect questionnaire-based information from participants through telephone interviews.

Over the next few weeks, we will be contacting you to invite you to complete a series of online or telephone interviews that include questions about your experiences related to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you choose to take part, these interviews will be in addition to your regular CLSA participation.

We hope you will consider participating in the COVID-19 interviews and work hand-in-hand with the CLSA to make an important contribution to understanding the impact of a pandemic on the health and wellness of the Canadian population. As always, your participation is entirely voluntary.

I want to thank you again for your ongoing contributions to the CLSA.

Please take care of yourself and others around you.

Dr. Parminder Raina
Lead Principal Investigator, Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

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March 12, 2020

To protect the health and safety of Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) participants and staff and to help reduce contacts that might spread the coronavirus, the CLSA has made the difficult decision to suspend face-to-face data collection with participants for a period of two weeks.

The suspension takes effect Monday, March 16, 2020.

Participants will be asked to complete interviews by phone.

Following the two-week period, the CLSA will reassess the situation and determine when in-person data collection can resume.

Who should I contact if I have questions?

For questions related to your participation, you can contact the CLSA National Coordinating Centre toll-free at 1-866-999-8303 or by emailing info@clsa-elcv.ca.

The latest information on COVID-19 can be found on the Public Health Agency of Canada website. You can also check the Government of Canada Travel Advisory website to guide your decisions about upcoming travel.