Title: CDC Report Shows Decline in Long Covid Cases Among US Adults, but Challenges Remain
Date: [Insert Date]
The percentage of US adults experiencing long Covid symptoms has decreased since the summer of 2022, according to a new report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, some individuals still face significant changes in their daily lives due to the condition.
The CDC’s analysis, based on data from the Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey conducted from June 2022 to June 2023, aimed to measure the social and economic impact of Covid-19 on households in the United States. Long Covid-related questions were added to the survey in June 2022.
The report reveals that long Covid prevalence among all US adults declined from 7.5% in June 2022 to 6% in June 2023. Among adults who reported previous Covid-19 infections, the prevalence of long Covid dropped from 18.9% to 11% during the study period.
Interestingly, the highest prevalence of long Covid was found among US adults ages 35 to 44, rather than the youngest and oldest age groups. The researchers noted that while adults aged 50 and older are more likely to experience severe Covid-19 symptoms, they couldn’t determine if there’s a direct association between age and long Covid.
Possible factors contributing to the decline in long Covid cases include the overall reduction in Covid-19 infections, fewer severe cases, and increased preventive measures such as vaccination, suggested the CDC researchers.
However, the study also raised concerns about the persisting impact of long Covid on daily life. Approximately 26.4% of respondents with long Covid reported significant limitations in daily activities throughout the study period. The prevalence of these limitations remained consistent over time.
Another data set analyzed by the CDC, known as the INSPIRE study, focused on 1,296 adults with Covid-19-like symptoms. The study found that 18.3% of participants who tested positive for Covid-19 reported persistent symptoms even after 12 months, compared to 16.1% of those who tested negative.
Among the symptoms reported up to 12 months after infection, extreme fatigue and cognitive difficulties were highlighted as common. The researchers emphasized the need to better understand post-Covid-19 conditions.
Recognizing the wide-reaching impact of long Covid, the US Department of Health and Human Services established the Office of Long COVID Research and Practice. This initiative aims to coordinate the federal government’s response to long Covid and provide resources to affected individuals. Additionally, the National Institutes of Health’s RECOVER Initiative, launched in 2021, continues to conduct research on understanding, treating, and preventing long Covid with a budget of $1.15 billion.
According to estimates, up to 23 million people in the United States have developed long Covid, making it a significant health concern. The CDC’s report underscores the importance of addressing the persistent challenges posed by long Covid and supporting those affected by the condition in their daily lives.
[CNN’s Brenda Goodman and Jacqueline Howard contributed to this report.]