The Impact of COVID-19 on Individuals with Disabilities: Exploring the Challenges of Long COVID
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to individuals around the world, with certain populations being disproportionately affected. Among these groups, individuals with disabilities have faced unique barriers to accessing care and experiencing poorer health outcomes compared to their nondisabled peers. Recent research from the University of Kansas sheds light on the additional burden faced by this population, showing that individuals with pre-existing disabilities are at a significantly higher risk of experiencing long COVID.
A team of researchers from KU’s Institute for Health and Disability Policy Studies at the KU Life Span Institute, along with the Patient-Led Research Collaborative, conducted a study that found more than 40% of individuals with disabilities who tested positive for COVID-19 developed long COVID, defined as symptoms lasting three months or longer. This rate is more than twice the prevalence among individuals without disabilities who contracted COVID.
Unlike other studies that only considered disabilities present at the time of the survey, this research took into account participants’ disabilities prior to the start of the pandemic. By comparing data from the National Survey on Health and Disability to the Household Pulse Survey conducted by the CDC, the researchers were able to uncover the disproportionate impact of long COVID on individuals with disabilities.
“We wanted to understand how long COVID affected those with disabilities before the onset of the pandemic,” said Noelle Kurth, a research associate at KU’s IHDPS. The study, led by Jean Hall, director of the institute, revealed that individuals with chronic illnesses or diseases were the most likely to develop long COVID, followed by those with mental illness/psychiatric disabilities. Surprisingly, individuals with sensory disabilities had the lowest prevalence of long COVID among types of disabilities.
The implications of these findings are significant, as they underscore the need for public health policies that prioritize the needs of individuals with disabilities. The researchers urge policymakers to recognize the heightened risks faced by this demographic, including treatment refusals, severe symptoms, hospitalizations, and long-term effects of COVID-19.
In addition to the physical challenges posed by long COVID, individuals with disabilities also face barriers to care, such as transportation, costs, and lack of support. Kelsey Goddard, a research associate at KU’s IHDPS, highlighted the fear expressed by survey participants with disabilities who are reluctant to venture out into communities where COVID precautions are not being observed, putting them at risk of re-contracting the virus and exacerbating their symptoms.
Lisa McCorkell, co-founder of the Patient-Led Research Collaborative and a person with long COVID and disability herself, emphasized the importance of implementing policies that address current inequities and anticipate the impact of future pandemics on individuals with disabilities. McCorkell called for measures such as universal masking in public places and healthcare facilities to protect vulnerable populations and ensure equitable access to care.
As we navigate the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential to center the needs of individuals with disabilities in public health responses and policy decisions. By acknowledging the heightened risks faced by this demographic and implementing targeted interventions, we can work towards a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system that addresses the complex needs of all individuals, regardless of ability status.
