Research impact: COVID hits, MAP mobilizes to respond

When the pandemic struck, MAP scientists moved quickly to direct our expertise where it was most needed. MAP created COVID-19 data models to help front-line organizations predict spread in their local, client populations, led COVID-19 clinical trials, and worked to build a better health and social system. We provided expert opinion and informed public health responses in real time. MAP’s research showed that lower-income Toronto neighbourhoods were disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, which led to public policy that prioritized vaccinations for these hotspots. As Canada shifted focus to pandemic recovery, MAP launched a task force to identify the interventions and policy changes most likely to address COVID-19-related inequities in a post-pandemic world.