Long COVID

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence of long COVID has become a major public health concern. Currently, more than 150 million people worldwide and at least 18 million Americans suffer from the condition, whose symptoms range from fatigue and neurological illnesses to heart problems and can last weeks, months or longer. Evidence indicates that those who are unvaccinated and those who develop severe cases of COVID-19 have higher instances of long COVID, but those are not the only groups affected. Experts say the illness could cost the U.S. government $2.6 trillion in lost productivity and medical costs. However, patients continue to struggle with obtaining diagnoses, finding medical care and covering treatment costs. This has led to a robust patient advocacy movement that has helped spur both government and privately funded research efforts to understand the cause and develop treatments for long COVID.