The Hidden Crisis of Long COVID Underdiagnosis

A Bloomberg Law article by Lauren Clason underscores the urgent need to address the systemic coding issues that leave a huge number of patients by the wayside.

Bloomberg Law reports that an A.I. investigation of health records reveals a massive “blind spot” where more than 56% of Long COVID (LC) cases may be missing from official records. Health reporter Lauren Clason highlighted the surveillance study that focused on the heterogeneous impact of LC—exposing the harsh reality of people living with  multi-systemic chronic conditions following an infection of SARS-CoV-2, who are being denied disability support and access to care. 

Data from the JAMA study shows that 89.31% of LC patients have at least 1 chronic condition. Clason interviewed Julie Lam, a representative for MaskTogetherAmerica and the LC community at NIH RECOVER, who struggles with COVID-triggered organ damage and multiple debilitating symptoms since the winter of 2021, even while being up to date with vaccination. It was not until recently that CoRE Mt. Sinai officially diagnosed her with Long COVID.

“As someone who waited 3 years for a LC diagnosis, I know how critical it is to move past 'diagnoses of exclusion,” Lam says. She is grateful for the opportunity to share her lived experience to advocate for this marginalized community. “What I appreciate most about Lauren’s reporting is the deep dive into Harvard Medical School Assoc. Prof. Hossein Estiri’s JAMA study—while centering the voices of patients, providers and caregivers. Uncovering the root causes of inequality in our healthcare system is crucial. This is the kind of journalism that moves the needle on Long COVID care and coverage.” 

Read: Long COVID Underdiagnosis Poses Broader Care, Coverage Hurdles to advocate By Lauren Clason 

 

Long COVID Underdiagnosis Poses Broader Care, Coverage Hurdles