Title: Millions of Americans Continue to Battle Long COVID, New Federal Data Shows
Subtitle: New CDC survey highlights the prevalence and impact of long COVID in the US population
[City], [State] – According to new data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), millions of Americans are still grappling with the lingering effects of long COVID. The 2022 National Health Interview Survey revealed that approximately 18 million adults – equivalent to 6.9% of the population – have reported experiencing long COVID at some point in their lives.
Long COVID, which is characterized by persisting symptoms for at least four weeks after clearing the initial infection, continues to affect an estimated 8.8 million Americans, or 3.4% of adults, in the present. Among children, around 1 million (1.5%) have reported experiencing long COVID, with approximately 360,000 (0.5%) still dealing with the condition.
The range of symptoms associated with long COVID is broad, presenting challenges and hindrances to countless individuals. Some common symptoms include fatigue, difficulty breathing, headaches, brain fog, joint and muscle pain, and the ongoing loss of taste and smell. The duration of these symptoms can extend for months or even years, making long COVID a debilitating condition that requires sufficient attention and support.
The data also shed light on certain demographics more likely to be affected by long COVID. It was found that women are more prone to experiencing the condition compared to men. Additionally, adults aged 35-49 were the demographic most affected, followed by those in the 50-64 age group. Surprisingly, senior citizens aged 65 and older were the least likely to suffer from long COVID.
Examining the racial and ethnic disparities, the data indicated that Hispanic adults were the most likely to have had long COVID, followed by white, Black, and Asian adults. However, among those currently experiencing long COVID, white adults narrowly surpassed Hispanic adults.
Similar trends were observed among children, with girls presenting a higher percentage of experiencing or currently dealing with long COVID compared to boys. Hispanic children had the highest reporting of past long COVID cases, while white children topped the list for current long COVID cases. The age group most affected among children was 12-17 years old.
Recognizing the critical need to address long COVID and provide support to affected individuals, the Biden administration recently established the Office of Long COVID Research and Practice. Operating under the Department of Health and Human Services, this office is dedicated to studying the condition and offering necessary assistance to those diagnosed with long COVID.
As the battle against COVID-19 continues, the prevalence of long COVID underscores the need for further research, awareness, and support to mitigate the long-lasting impacts of the virus. With millions of Americans still enduring the difficulties brought on by this condition, prioritizing efforts to understand and address long COVID will be crucial for public health going forward.
For more information or support regarding long COVID, individuals are encouraged to reach out to the newly established Office of Long COVID Research and Practice.
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