Long COVID has become a significant economic crisis, impacting global economy by $1 trillion. It affects 6%-7% of adults, causing prolonged absence from work, leading to lower productivity and economic repercussions. The disease lacks a standard diagnosis, hindering surveillance efforts. Studies estimate a GDP loss of 0.5%-2.3% in select countries. In the US, long COVID reduced the labor force by 500,000 people and costs $62 billion annually. However, research funding for long COVID is minimal compared to other conditions. Public health policy faces challenges in allocating limited resources, improving vaccination rates, and providing adequate care for patients with long COVID.
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