Top 5 Takeaways

1. Variability in Long COVID Prevalence: The age- and sex-standardized prevalence of Long COVID among adults varies significantly across U.S. states and territories, ranging from 1.9% in the U.S. Virgin Islands to 10.6% in West Virginia.
2. Geographic Disparities: Prevalence of Long COVID exceeded 8.8% in seven states, with lower prevalences observed in New England and the Pacific regions, and higher in the South, Midwest, and West.
3. Surveillance Gaps Highlighted: The report underscores the need for ongoing jurisdiction-specific prevalence assessments to inform public health policies and support for Long COVID sufferers.
4. Study Limitations: The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System did not capture data on treatment during acute COVID infection, time since illness, or the duration or severity of symptoms, which could affect prevalence figures.
5. Implications for Public Health Practice: State- and territory-level data could guide policy, planning, or programming and help identify geographic disparities, promoting health equity.

Original Article Author and Citation

Corresponding Author

Nicole D. Ford, yex9@cdc.gov.

Suggested Citation

Ford ND, Agedew A, Dalton AF, Singleton J, Perrine CG, Saydah S. Notes from the Field: Long COVID Prevalence Among Adults — United States, 2022. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024;73:135–136. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7306a4.

Summary

The report delineates the prevalence of Long COVID, a range of health issues persisting after acute COVID-19 illness, among U.S. adults in 2022. It highlights the significant variability in Long COVID prevalence across different states and territories, emphasizing the importance of tailored public health interventions.

Methods

The CDC analyzed 2022 data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, focusing on noninstitutionalized U.S. adults. This included self-reported data on Long COVID, defined as symptoms lasting ≥3 months post-COVID-19, not present before the infection. Estimates were adjusted for age and sex, based on the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau population.

Discussion

The findings reveal geographic disparities in Long COVID prevalence, with certain regions showing higher rates. These disparities necessitate jurisdiction-specific public health strategies. The limitations of the study, including lack of data on treatment and severity of symptoms, underscore the need for comprehensive data collection.

Conclusion

The report underscores the ongoing public health challenge posed by Long COVID and the need for continuous surveillance to inform effective policies and interventions. It calls for addressing data gaps and leveraging state-level estimates to mitigate the impact of Long COVID and promote health equity.

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