About 400 million individuals worldwide have experienced long Covid, as indicated by a new report from scientists and researchers who have focused on the condition. The economic impact of long Covid is estimated to be around $1 trillion globally each year, which is approximately 1 percent of the global economy.
The report, published in the journal Nature Medicine, serves as a comprehensive overview of the knowledge and consequences of long Covid four years after its emergence. It aims to offer guidance for policy decisions and research priorities, according to Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, one of the authors and a leading researcher in the field.
One key finding of the report is that around 6 percent of adults worldwide have been affected by long Covid. The authors analyzed numerous studies and data to determine that by the end of 2023, roughly 400 million people had experienced long Covid since the start of the pandemic. This estimate takes into account the impact of vaccines and the milder Omicron variant.
Moreover, the report highlighted that only a small percentage of long Covid patients fully recovered within two years of developing the condition. Chronic health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, myalgic encephalomyelitis, and dysautonomia were identified as long-term consequences of long Covid. These conditions can significantly impact patients’ overall well-being, ability to work, engage in social activities, and manage daily responsibilities.
The economic repercussions of long Covid are substantial, with millions of adults reported to be out of work due to the condition. Additionally, individuals with long Covid are 10 percent less likely to be employed compared to those who have not been infected with the virus. Many long Covid patients have had to reduce their work hours or limit activities outside of work to cope with their symptoms.
The report underscores the profound impact of long Covid on patients, their families, caregivers, and communities. It emphasizes the urgent need for continued research, support services, and policy initiatives to address the long-term effects of this condition on individuals and society as a whole.
