Long COVID and Health Inequalities: What's Next for Research and Policy Advocacy?

Baz, S., Woodrow, M., Clutterbuck, D., Fang, C., Mullard, J., Banerjee, A., Barley‐McMullen, S., Carpentieri, J., Donskoy, A., Faux‐Nightingale, A., Lewis‐Jackson, S., O'Hara, M., Rai, T., Sherwood, O., Smyth, N., Stanley, Kirsty, Welsh, V., Mir, G. and Alwan, N. 2024. Long COVID and Health Inequalities: What's Next for Research and Policy Advocacy? Health Expectations. 27 (5) e70047. https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.70047

TitleLong COVID and Health Inequalities: What's Next for Research and Policy Advocacy?
TypeJournal article
AuthorsBaz, S., Woodrow, M., Clutterbuck, D., Fang, C., Mullard, J., Banerjee, A., Barley‐McMullen, S., Carpentieri, J., Donskoy, A., Faux‐Nightingale, A., Lewis‐Jackson, S., O'Hara, M., Rai, T., Sherwood, O., Smyth, N., Stanley, Kirsty, Welsh, V., Mir, G. and Alwan, N.
Abstract

Introduction
Organised by the ‘Qualitative Long Covid Network’, a workshop for qualitative Long COVID (LC) researchers, LC charity representatives and people with LC took place in June 2023, where research on the intersectional inequalities affecting LC prevalence, recognition and care was shared and discussed.

Methods
Five key themes were drawn up from presentations, discussions and reflections during the workshop, which are presented in this study.

Results
The following five themes are discussed: the unfairness of LC, difficulties in accessing care, mistrust of the healthcare system, a lack of understanding of LC and experiences of stigma and discrimination. Factors that widen or narrow inequalities related to LC were identified.

Conclusion
A call to action is proposed to investigate and address inequalities through a robust LC research agenda that speaks with conviction to policy and decision-makers. We argue that there needs to be a strong investment in research and evidence-based policy and practice to mitigate the worst effects of the condition and address the inequalities in experience, treatment and support, which are experienced more often and more acutely by some of society's most vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals.

Patient and Public (PPI) Contribution
Projects included in this article had PPI ongoing activity to inform their research. A member of the CONVALESCENCE PPI group presented at the QLC Network ‘Long Covid and Health Inequalities’ workshop, as did members of Long COVID Kids, Long COVID Support and Long COVID SOS charities. They were all invited to be co-authors of this article.

Article numbere70047
JournalHealth Expectations
Journal citation27 (5)
ISSN1369-6513
1369-7625
Year2024
PublisherWiley
Publisher's version
License
CC BY 4.0
File Access Level
Open (open metadata and files)
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.70047
PubMed ID39358980
Publication dates
Published online02 Oct 2024
Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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