CDC report: Millions of Americans may have Long COVID.
About 7 percent of all U.S. adults said they suffered from long COVID after contracting COVID-19, according to a report issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Tuesday.
The CDC report revealed that approximately 6.9 percent of American adults experienced long COVID in a survey conducted last year. Furthermore, about 3.4 adults stated they were currently enduring long COVID at the time of the survey. Based on U.S. Census data, this suggests that around 18 million adults may have suffered from these persistent symptoms.
Definitions of long COVID vary, but it can be described as a set of symptoms that persist for approximately three months or longer after a COVID-19 infection. The CDC’s recent report defines it as symptoms lasting for at least three months. However, in August, the agency had defined long COVID as symptoms lasting four weeks or longer.
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“People who have had COVID-19 may continue to have symptoms or develop new symptoms months after being infected with SARS-CoV-2. This can lead to long-term health and economic impacts on those affected and on society,” stated the CDC report.
The report also highlighted that “prevalence estimates were higher among women compared with men, adults ages 35–49 compared with other age groups, and adults living in more rural areas compared with those living in large central metropolitan areas.”
“Prevalence estimates were lower among Asian adults compared with other racial and ethnic groups,” and long COVID was estimated to be lower among “adults with family incomes of 400 percent or more of the federal poverty level compared with those with incomes from 200 percent through 399 percent of the federal poverty level,” the CDC said.
Long COVID ‘Pitfalls’ Revealed
Meanwhile, a new analysis published in the BMJ found that there are a number of “pitfalls” with many studies about long COVID.
“High rates of long COVID or post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) continue to be reported in academic journals and subsequently filtered to the public,” concluded researchers led by University of San Francisco researcher Tracy Beth Hoeg. They highlighted that some publications and agencies overestimate the condition due to “overly broad definitions, lack of control groups, inappropriate control groups, and other methodological flaws.”
The researchers added that this problem is “further compounded by inclusion of poorly conducted studies into systematic reviews and meta-analyses that overstate the risk. Because of the poor practices, it has “fed to the public by the media and social media, raising undue concern and anxiety” about long COVID.
A Norwegian study of children and younger people between the ages of 12 and 15 used a modified definition for what constituted long COVID. The researchers noted that there was a similarity between the long COVID group and the control group.
They also found: “When limiting studies to those with acceptable [long COVID] definitions and appropriate controls, we find little to no difference in the prevalence of reported persistent symptoms in children by 4 weeks or in adults younger than 50 years by 12 weeks post-infection compared with controls.”
More Federal Money Allocated
The CDC report’s publication comes just days after the federal government awarded approximately million in grants to help clinics treating long COVID develop new models of care and expand access, according to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Nine clinics will receive $1 million grants annually over the next five years through the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality within HHS, the department said.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is supporting patients, doctors and caregivers by providing science-based best practices for treating long COVID, maintaining access to insurance coverage, and protecting the rights of workers as they return to jobs while coping with the uncertainties of their illness,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra last week.
The funding will be used for increasing in-person and virtual visits, establishing new satellite clinics, and an education initiative aimed at growing referrals. Limited knowledge and acceptance among clinicians has contributed to delays in diagnoses and referrals.
Research is underway for treatments. The National Institute of Health is conducting a $1.15 billion effort, the RECOVER program, which launched two clinical trials in July that will evaluate at least four potential treatments.
New Data
Earlier this week, the CDC published data that shows COVID-19 hospital admissions have dropped 4.3 percent for the week ending Sept. 16. This comes after multiple consecutive increases in reported hospitalizations for the virus. CDC trends indicate that the current rise in COVID-19 cases is significantly lower than previous “surges” of the respiratory illness in prior years.
The EG.5 variant, or “Eris,” accounts for about 24.5 percent of all COVID-19 cases, according to the CDC’s tracker. Additionally, FL.1.5.1, known as Fornax, is estimated to be responsible for approximately 13.7 percent of COVID-19 infections, according to the CDC.
Reuters contributed to this report.
What are the current pitfalls in the understanding of long COVID and how can they be addressed to avoid the dissemination of misleading information?
Tment of Health and Human Services. The funding aims to support healthcare providers in improving diagnosis, treatment, and management of long COVID, as well as conducting research to further understand the condition.
The recognition of long COVID as a persistent and debilitating condition is crucial for the healthcare system to provide appropriate care and support for those affected. With approximately 7 percent of U.S. adults experiencing long COVID and potentially 18 million adults having suffered from these symptoms, it is evident that the impact of this condition is widespread.
However, as highlighted in the BMJ analysis, there are several pitfalls in the current understanding of long COVID. Overly broad definitions, lack of appropriate control groups, and methodological flaws in studies have resulted in overestimation of the condition and the subsequent dissemination of misleading information to the public. This has caused unnecessary concern and anxiety among individuals.
To address these issues, it is crucial to conduct rigorous and well-designed studies with appropriate control groups to accurately determine the prevalence and characteristics of long COVID. Only by doing so can we develop effective strategies for diagnosis, treatment, and management of the condition. This will provide individuals with long COVID the necessary support and healthcare services they need, while also preventing undue alarm among the general population.
The allocation of federal funding towards clinics treating long COVID is a positive step towards addressing the challenges associated with the condition. These funds will enable healthcare providers to develop new models of care and expand access to services for individuals with long COVID. It will also facilitate research efforts to gain a deeper understanding of the condition and contribute to evidence-based practices.
In conclusion, the CDC report sheds light on the prevalence of long COVID among U.S. adults and emphasizes the need for comprehensive support and care for individuals experiencing persistent symptoms. It is essential to conduct rigorous research and avoid methodological pitfalls in order to accurately determine the prevalence and characteristics of the condition. The allocation of federal funds towards clinics treating long COVID will further aid in improving diagnosis, treatment, and management, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for those affected.
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