Researchers have analyzed data from two national surveys and discovered that people with pre-existing disabilities have experienced long COVID at significantly greater rates than those without disabilities. Over 40 percent of the former group reported suffering from long COVID, compared to just 18 percent of the latter. The researchers emphasize that this difference highlights the need for improved policies to tackle health issues faced by individuals with disabilities.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly challenging for individuals with disabilities. A recent study from the University of Kansas indicates that this group is dealing with long COVID at notably higher rates than the general population, compounding existing challenges in accessing healthcare.
Researchers from KU’s Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies and the Patient-Led Research Collaborative published findings showing that over 40% of individuals with pre-existing disabilities who tested positive for COVID-19 experienced long COVID, characterized by symptoms persisting for three months or longer. This percentage is more than double the 18.9% found among those without disabilities who also contracted COVID.
It is well-established that individuals with disabilities often encounter hurdles in accessing healthcare and tend to have poorer health outcomes compared to their nondisabled counterparts. However, numerous studies during the pandemic have only focused on disabilities present at the time of surveying, neglecting to consider whether a disability existed prior to the pandemic onset. The research team analyzed data from the 2022 National Survey on Health and Disability and the Household Pulse Survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“We know many individuals who suffer from long COVID may develop a disability afterward, but we were interested in understanding how long COVID affected those who already had disabilities,” explained Noelle Kurth, a research associate from KU’s Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies.
The study was led by Jean Hall, director of the Institute; along with researchers Noelle Kurth and Kelsey Goddard; and Lisa McCorkell, co-founder of the Patient-Led Research Collaborative. It was published in the American Journal of Public Health.
The survey looked at the types of disabilities reported by participants, revealing that those with chronic illnesses or conditions were the most likely to develop long COVID, with 60% of them testing positive experiencing lingering symptoms. Mental health disabilities followed at 45%, whereas sensory disabilities, like blindness or deafness, had the lowest long COVID rates among the various disabilities.
“From earlier studies during the pandemic, we already knew that individuals with pre-existing disabilities faced more hurdles in getting vaccinated and were more likely to be exposed,” Hall mentioned. “Now, we’ve confirmed that this group is also more prone to long COVID. Not only do they have higher rates of long COVID, but they also face greater obstacles to obtaining care due to issues like transportation, costs, or other factors. This is crucial information that we want to highlight.”
The findings indicate that public health policies should focus more on the long COVID prevalence and address the specific needs of people with disabilities to ensure fair policy-making and responses. The authors contend that it is essential to enhance understanding of the risks related to long COVID for people with disabilities, as they are more likely to face treatment rejections, experience severe symptoms, require hospitalization, or develop long COVID. Additionally, the public, healthcare systems, and policymakers must recognize that the pandemic is ongoing, continuing to pose greater threats to this vulnerable demographic.
“We have seen comments from survey participants with pre-existing disabilities expressing fear about venturing into their communities because the individuals they interact with, including healthcare providers, are not wearing masks, while the general public behaves as if the pandemic has concluded,” remarked Goddard, adding, “contracting COVID again can worsen their long COVID symptoms.”
McCorkell, co-founder of the Patient-Led Research Collaborative and a person with long COVID and a disability herself, highlighted the need for policies that confront current inequities and consider how future pandemics could impact those with disabilities.
“The pandemic is ongoing, and COVID continues to spread. Policy adjustments are necessary so that if we genuinely aim for an equitable response, masking should be enforced in public spaces and healthcare facilities to protect individuals with disabilities,” McCorkell stated. “With low compliance among providers in taking precautions and knowing how to assist those with disabilities, coupled with the access difficulties anyone facing long COVID deals with, it is a tough situation out there. In the future, we must concentrate services and support on those who need it most.”
