The bigger picture

Long Covid: under-recognised and under-resourced

Long Covid is under-recognised and under-resourced both nationally and internationally:

‘Long Covid has not received anywhere near the same level of attention or resources [as Covid-19]: the result has been widespread harm to health, societies, and economies. 3 years in, more is needed to recognise, treat, and support patients with Long Covid.’

- The Lancet editorial (Mar 2023)[i]

‘[T]here are far too few trials evaluating potential treatments for Long Covid, with seeming continual falls in interest and research funding.’

- British Medical Journal (Dec 2023)[ii]

‘Many people don’t realize just how sick millions of [people] are - and the invisibility created by Long Covid’s symptoms is being quickly compounded by our attitude toward them […] [A] conviction … that Long Covid is less common and severe than it has been portrayed.’

- Ed Yong (Pulitzer Prize Winner for his reporting on Covid-19), the Atlantic (Apr 2023)[iii]

Long Covid does not have a strong presence in political or public health conversations in the UK. Systematic testing and detailed data collection have ceased, making it difficult to assess the prevalence of both Covid-19 and Long Covid. Symptoms are many and varied, and individuals may not recognise they have Long Covid.

GPs in Calderdale, where we conducted this research, are reported to be often poorly informed about Long Covid, and the research found examples where many did not regard it as a defined illness, or a serious issue.

This means that:

i)               There is likely to be a large number of people in Calderdale who have undiagnosed Long Covid and/or are not referred to available support;

ii)              Those still recovering from Long Covid are still facing stigma and ignorance from both the public and sub-optimal care from some health professionals.

iii)            Short term, precarious funding can make it difficult for Long Covid services to go into communities and broaden awareness.

It is likely that hidden and untreated Long Covid, over time, will result in an increased burden on healthcare services, as people present with undiagnosed and chronic symptoms. It may also affect the local economy, as more people become unable to work, or work effectively, and require benefits.

Further clinical research into Long Covid, its mechanisms, and what works in recovery, as well as continued funding for Long Covid services, are very much needed.