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“More than two-thirds of Michiganders in a new survey said they would be willing to participate in COVID-19 contact tracing activities that include sharing personal information, people they came into contact with, or reporting symptoms to state or local health departments,” writes Jay Greene for Crain’s Detroit. “But about half of respondents expressed concerns about the privacy of their personal health information, with 37 percent saying they would not participate in a contact tracing effort because of it.” 

Greene is referring to the recently published Cover Michigan Survey reports on trust in COVID-19 information sources and willingness to participate in contact tracing.  Both reports are a collaboration between staff at CHRT and faculty and graduate students at the University of Michigan Department of Learning Health Sciences.

This survey emphasizes the significance of combining individual privacy concerns with public health requirements for developing efficient contact tracing programs. The report also discusses the importance of contact tracing in controlling the pandemic and the value of open communication regarding contact tracing to boost participation and foster trust. 

Overall, the survey results provide useful information for public health experts and politicians to create contact tracing programs that are efficient and respect privacy.

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