Long Covid reported more frequently among disabled Americans

TThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention just released a trove of data on Americans with disabilities showing that more than a quarter of American adults have a disability — more than 70 million people, an increase from previous years. This part of the population was also much more likely to report long-term Covid symptoms, such as chronic fatigue and brain fog. This comorbidity also threatens to play a major role in many communities with disabilities increase in Covid cases sweeps the country.

The data, collected in 2022, is part of the agency’s own Disability and Health Data Systemwith annual data at state and national levels going back to 2016. This is the first year the agency has released long Covid data, showing that 11% of people with disabilities had long Covid symptoms, while only 7% of people without disabilities reported symptoms.

For many disabilities, the highest populations exist in an area stretching from the Deep South and Louisiana to the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia and Ohio. Claims for disability benefits tend to be highest in these areas, but for a long time the geography shifted westward. Idaho and other states along the Continental Divide saw much higher rates of symptoms, with Montana recording the highest prevalence at 18%.

Although people with disabilities are more likely to report long Covid symptoms than their non-disabled counterparts, it is unclear why these figures are higher. Since long since Covid emerged during the pandemic, the disease has baffled scientists with a confusing array of symptoms that make easy diagnoses difficult. Meanwhile, the people who are experiencing a long Covid-19 period are suffering so much that their The burden of disease exceeds that of both heart disease and cancer patients.

To combat this uncertainty and ward off potential pain, many people with disabilities do so advocate for increased mask use again.