CDC Science and the public health approach to Long COVID – CDC

Overview

Long COVID is an infection-associated chronic condition that occurs after SARS-CoV-2 infection and is present for at least 3 months as a continuous, relapsing and remitting, or progressive disease state that affects one or more organ systems.Long COVID affects millions of people across the United States and increases healthcare needs. Health departments play a crucial role in surveillance, communication, and education to increase awareness, reduce stigma, and improve care.

CDC and its partners are conducting research on Long COVID in a variety of populations and settings and are actively working to:

Long COVID estimates vary due to different study criteria, symptoms investigated, patient populations, and timing of when symptoms are assessed. CDC collects and analyzes data through several public health surveys. In 2022, 6.9% of adultsand 1.3% of children(roughly 17 million and 1 million, respectively) in the United States ever reported experiencing Long COVID.(4-5)

While Long COVID can occur in anyone who gets a SARS-CoV-2 infection, some people or groups of people are at higher risk of developing Long COVID. These include women, people with underlying conditions, people who experienced more severe outcomes of COVID-19, and people of Hispanic ethnicity. (4,9,10) Approximately 1 in 4adults with Long COVID reported experiencing significant limitations in their daily activity.(6-8)

More than 200 Long COVID symptoms have been identified. However, fatigue, brain fog, and exhaustion (post-exertional malaise) are among the commonly reported symptoms of Long COVID. (11,12)

COVID-19 vaccination is the best available tool to reduce the risk of Long COVID. Research shows that COVID-19 vaccination prior to SARS-CoV-2 infection reduces the risk of developing Long COVID among both children and adults. (1-3)

Collaboration between federal agencies and public health partners is important to address the serious nature of Long COVID. CDC has identified key areas of support that clinicians and public health professionals need to empower their efforts to address Long COVID.(13)

Using a variety of data sources to better understand and estimate the:

Creating and increasing access to educational and communication resources to inform people about:

Supporting clinician efforts to effectively diagnose and manage Long COVID by:

CDC continues to collaborate with clinicians, public health partners, and other federal agencies to better understand and address the impacts of Long COVID. CDC supports these goals by:

CDCs research and data on Long COVID can be accessed through:

Prevalence data can be readily accessed from the National Center for Health Statistics rapid survey systems. Inclusion of data and analyses of Long COVID by race/ethnicity, age, sex, and other factors are a CDC priority.

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CDC Science and the public health approach to Long COVID - CDC