Genomics, Environmental Factors and Social Determinants of Cardiovascular Disease in African-Americans Study (GENE-FORECAST): Prospective COVID-19 Natural History Study

Study Summary

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic infected and killed African Americans at higher rates than other Americans. Researchers want to understand why. Objective: This natural history study will look at how genetic, environmental, and social factors may predict or affect COVID-19 in African Americans. Information from this study will be combined with data from the GENE-FORECAST study. Eligibility: African Americans who were previously enrolled in GENE-FORECAST. Design: The study includes a telephone interview and 1 visit to the NIH clinic. Participants may engage in either one or both of these activities. The telephone interview will last 20 minutes. Participants will talk about their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. The clinic visit will last up to 4 hours. Participants will have a physical exam. They will have blood and urine tests. They will be tested for COVID-19. A long swab will be inserted into a nostril to get a fluid sample from the back of the nose. They will have noninvasive tests of their blood vessels. One device used is a pen-like probe placed lightly on the wrist. Another is a rubber sleeve placed around a finger while a blood pressure cuff is used on the arm. Participants will have a test to measure the electrical activity in their heart. Stickers attached to wires will be placed on their chest, arms, and legs. Participants will answer more questions about COVID-19. They will talk about their health behavior. They will talk about their family's health and the neighborhood they live in. Other questions will ask how they feel, live, work, and play.