The Kids Research Institute Australia researchers have collaborated with global experts to launch an online tool designed to assess the risk of contracting COVID-19 and provide advice to reduce transmission.
The ‘Your COVID-19 Risk’ tool, developed by infectious diseases researchers and behaviourial scientists from 35 different countries, helps users learn more about their risk of contracting the virus and what they can do to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.
The Kids Research Institute Australia Behavioural Scientist, Dr Rebecca Pedruzzi, says the tailored information in the tool puts individual behaviour in the spotlight and supports users to make the necessary changes to reduce their risk of contracting and spreading this virus.
“The ‘Your COVID-19 Risk’ tool is based on key behavioural risk factors related to contracting and spreading the virus published in scientific articles about COVID-19, and has the potential to save hundreds of lives in countries that are severely affected by the virus,” says Dr Pedruzzi.
Dr Lea-Ann Kirkham, Co-Director of the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, based at The Kids Research Institute Australia, says the tool will also provide valuable data to guide strategies to improve public health and prevent future outbreaks here in Australia.
“This tool gives us an excellent opportunity to access international data and see how the results differ throughout the world. We will then be able to provide informed recommendations to governments and health agencies on the best measures to take in their region, as well as the messages that should be communicated to the public for disease prevention,” says Dr Kirkham.
Available in 29 languages, the online tool can be accessed at your-covid-19-risk.com