Lay summary
In Aotearoa New Zealand, the COVID pandemic has affected many people’s ability to focus/attend both work and school. With the virus continuously circulating we need to address how to best support people to stay in their jobs and education. Our proposal is the background work and preparation for a future health service delivery grant, specifically related to the gap in supporting workers and rangatahi through the COVID journey. We will employ a research fellow to achieve the following: (i) conduct literature syntheses of evidence-based tools and policies used to support workers and students after COVID; (ii) set up a network of collaborators working or interested in this area, using both already established and new contacts; (ii) conduct hui, brainstorming and future planning for research and improved health service delivery. The project will provide the platform for future health delivery to those currently falling through the cracks in our system.