Almost 18 Million Adult Americans Have Had Long COVID: A Detailed Analysis

Recent data from a nationally representative survey indicates that approximately 17.8 million American adults, or 6.9% of the adult population, have experienced long COVID as of early 2023. This substantial number underscores the ongoing impact of the pandemic and highlights significant demographic disparities among those affected.

Demographic Disparities in Long COVID

The survey, conducted by the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and analyzed by statisticians Zhengyi Fang and Rebecca Ahrnsbrak, included responses from over 17,400 adults aged 18 and older. Of these, 8,275 individuals reported a prior infection with SARS-CoV-2, and 1,202 of them experienced long COVID symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, and difficulty breathing.

The data revealed notable demographic differences:

• Gender: Females were more likely to report long COVID than males, with 8.6% of women compared to 5.1% of men.
• Age: Middle-aged adults showed higher rates of long COVID compared to younger and older adults, who tend to have better overall health and higher booster shot rates.
• Vaccination Status: Those who had received a booster shot exhibited lower rates of long COVID than those who had only two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine or were unvaccinated. This suggests that booster shots may enhance protection against long COVID by reducing the risk of severe COVID-19.

Risk Factors and Health Implications

Pre-existing health conditions such as chronic illnesses and obesity were identified as significant risk factors for long COVID. This aligns with previous studies highlighting high blood pressure, depression, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as contributing factors.

Global Perspectives on Long COVID

The prevalence of long COVID varies globally, influenced by differences in viral variants, vaccination rates, and study definitions. For instance:

• Scotland: A nationwide study reported that 6.5-10% of adults had long COVID 6-18 months post-infection.
• Australia: 5-10% of adults experienced persistent symptoms three months after testing positive.
• Netherlands: Approximately 12.7% of people had long COVID as of August 2022.

It is estimated that around 65 million people worldwide have developed long COVID, based on the assumption that 10% of the 651 million people who had COVID-19 by 2022 are affected. However, these figures are subject to debate due to potential underreporting and variations in data collection methods.

Ongoing Research and Healthcare Implications

Researchers continue to investigate the mechanisms behind long COVID to develop effective therapies. They also aim to answer fundamental questions about the prevalence and risk factors associated with long COVID. The findings emphasize the importance of recognizing and addressing the condition to inform healthcare responses and support affected individuals.

The comprehensive analysis of long COVID in the United States, published in JAMA, provides critical insights into the pandemic’s long-term effects and highlights the need for continued research and healthcare strategies to manage this chronic condition.

References:

1. Fang, Z., & Ahrnsbrak, R. (2023). Nationally Representative Household Survey Analysis. JAMA. Link
2. News Source: SciHB. Link