VCU news

By Leila Ugincius

While the COVID-19 pandemic has strained perceptions of health care and education quality, it also has catalyzed a re-evaluation of economic priorities among Richmond-area residents and reinforced their commitment to local businesses and charitable activities, according to a new report from Virginia Commonwealth University’s RVA Views community research program.

“Richmonders’ Response to COVID-19” provides a comprehensive exploration of the pandemic’s multifaceted impact on the local community. Encompassing health care engagement, education formats, the role of technology, economic prosperity and community solidarity, the study reveals significant shifts in perceptions and a community adapting to unprecedented challenges.

“Despite these challenges, there’s a palpable sense of resilience, with Richmond residents poised to engage more actively in their community’s economic and social recovery,” according to the report by RVA Views executive directors Jodie L. Ferguson and Mayoor Mohan of the VCU School of Business.

“We uncovered a community in transition, grappling with the health implications of a global crisis while demonstrating resilience and adaptability,” added Mohan, Ph.D., a professor of marketing. “Our health, more than ever, demands attention, empathy and collective action to navigate the path to recovery and resilience.”

The study, conducted in fall 2023, represents a point in time as the RVA Views collective of respondents reflected on how COVID-19 impacted the Richmond community. More than 800 people across Central Virginia responded, representing a wide demographic pool with diverse insights.

Key findings include:

• The pandemic had a negative impact on the mental health of Richmonders, with 46% reporting that their mental health had worsened.
• 31.5% of Richmonders plan to seek health care services more frequently in the next two years.
• More than 44% of Richmonders believe that the quality of health care services has deteriorated.
• 63% of Richmonders believe that K-12 education has worsened since the pandemic’s arrival in early 2020.
• 64% of Richmonders consider technology as a positive force.
• The pandemic has led to an increase in money-saving behaviors, with more than 40% of Richmonders reporting that they save more than before the pandemic.
• 45% of Richmonders say they feel less connected to the community than before the pandemic.

“Moving forward, fostering community bonds, supporting local enterprises and addressing the educational and health care systems’ needs will be important for Richmond’s enduring recovery and prosperity,” said Ferguson, a professor of marketing. “This report underscores the essentiality of community efforts and adaptability in navigating the path toward a stronger, more connected Richmond in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

RVA Views in the VCU School of Business promotes research excellence and research-service innovation within Central Virginia. RVA Views features a collective of people who sign up to participate in surveys and interviews related to their opinions and experiences in the city. Its research is used to make decisions in community services, entertainment, business, health care, education and other fields.

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