Estimating the social and spatial impacts of Covid mitigation strategies in United Kingdom regions: synthetic data and dashboards

Abstract

This study advances understanding of the broader social and spatial impacts of COVID-19 restrictive measures, particularly how they may have impacted individuals and households and, in turn, the geographic areas in which these individuals and households are concentrated. Data are combined and linked to a novel individual-level synthetic dataset and an interactive dashboard is developed to assist with the identification and understanding of the social and spatial impacts of restrictions. To illustrate the utility of this approach, the analysis focuses on the impact of three restrictions within a defined spatial area: Yorkshire and Humberside (UK). Results highlight the additive nature of restriction impacts and suggest areas that may have the least future resilience as policy priority areas. This approach is transferable to other regions and the use of the dashboard allows rapid consideration and communication of the social and spatial nature of inequalities to researchers, practitioners and the general public.