According to a new report from the U.S. Census Bureau, lasting symptoms from COVID-19 are becoming increasingly common. The report defines "long COVID" as symptoms lasting at least 3 months that people did not have before being infected with the virus. More than one in four adults sickened by the virus go on to have long COVID, and nearly 15% of all American adults have had long COVID at some point since the start of the pandemic.
The report found that certain groups are more at risk for long COVID, including residents of certain states, women, Hispanic people, and transgender people. The condition has impacted some states more than others, with the proportion of residents hit with long COVID ranging from a low of 18.8% in New Jersey to a high of 40.7% in West Virginia.
Other factors that increase the risk of long COVID include age, gender, race, and disability status. People in their 50s were most at risk, followed by those in their 40s. Far more women than men with COVID infections got long COVID, and transgender adults were more than twice as likely to have long COVID than cisgender males. Hispanic adults were also more likely to experience long COVID than White or Black people, and people with disabilities were at higher risk than those without disabilities.
This report is the second recent look at who is most likely to face long COVID. A similar study published last month found that women, smokers, and those who had severe COVID-19 infections are most likely to have the disorder.
Overall, long COVID is a serious and ongoing concern as the pandemic continues to impact communities across the United States. Identifying those most at risk can help healthcare providers better understand and provide care for those experiencing long COVID symptoms.