Long COVID occurs when symptoms persist 3 months after an initial COVID infection. These symptoms are not explained by other medical conditions and can cause significant, often debilitating impacts on a person’s physical, mental, and social well-being. Though Latinos in Washington state are more likely to contract COVID-19 than other groups, there is limited available data on long COVID among Latinos.
To address this gap, the Latino Center for Health conducted a survey of Latino patients from across Washington state to determine the prevalence of long COVID and its impacts on the health and quality of life of those affected. The study was conducted in partnership with SeaMar Community Health Centers, Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, and the Allen Institute for Immunology.
Approximately 8,000 surveys were sent to patients who had a positive COVID-19 test and identified as Hispanic/Latino. We received 1,546 responses, and completed the study in the fall of 2023.
Key Takeaways
- 41% of survey respondents reported symptom duration consistent with long COVID.
- Fatigue, muscle pain, anxiety, and sleep difficulty were the four most commonly reported long COVID symptoms. See figure below.
- 29% of respondents with long COVID symptoms reported having a change in their health of ‘‘worse’ or ‘much worse’ after their first COVID infection, compared to 7% of those without long COVID symptoms.
- Respondents with long COVID symptoms were more likely to report changes across quality of life measures including pain, mental health, sleep, social function, cognitive function, physical function, and fatigue. See figure below.
- 39% of respondents with long COVID symptoms reported being very worried about losing their job if they were to miss two days of work due to illness.
The survey results show that Latinos in WA state are experiencing significant changes in their health post-COVID. The Latino Center for Health is continuing to work to inform state and federal policymakers about the burdens of long COVID faced by Washington’s Latino community, advocate for benefits and services to address the long-term effects of COVID-19, and stimulate further research on mechanisms and treatments that would specifically benefit Latinos and other underserved groups. The results of the study were presented on November 3rd, 2023, at the Latinx Long COVID Symposium—Study Findings & Pathways to Health at Heritage University.