Exploring Long Covid prevalence by sociodemographics

Woodrow, M. et al (2025) summarised by Rachael McGill

Introduction

The research aimed to explore associations between patient sociodemographic groups (social and cultural factors) plus health characteristics and two outcomes: having Long Covid and expressing uncertainty about having Long Covid. The likelihood of having Long Covid was found to be increased for some sociodemographic groups who already experience disadvantage, with some other groups not knowing if they had Long Covid or not.

Summary

The data came from the 2023 GP Patient Survey in England. This is a random sample of 759,149 patients aged 16 or over where patients self-reported about their health. 4.8% of respondents reported having Long Covid at the time of completing the survey, and 9.1% were unsure whether they had it.

Sociodemographic features associated with a higher risk of Long Covid included:

• age – highest odds were for those aged 35−54 years
• sex – highest odds were for females
• ethnicity – highest odds were for White Gypsy/Irish Traveller and mixed or multiple ethnic groups
• sexual orientation – people who were gay/lesbian, bisexual or other sexual orientations had significantly higher prevalence compared to heterosexuals
• being a carer or a parent
• having a long term health condition.

There was particularly high prevalence of Long Covid amongst people who were deaf and using sign language, those who had Alzheimer’s/dementia, autism, a breathing condition or a mental health condition. Living in the most deprived areas was associated with 47% higher odds compared to the least deprived areas.

Those who responded that they were person whether they had Long Covid was more likely to be associated with: being under 25; male; non‐binary; heterosexual; not a parent or carer; from Other White, Indian, Bangladeshi, Chinese, Black or Arab backgrounds; in former and current smokers; and those without long term health conditions. Differing levels of uncertainty may relate to lack of awareness of or confusion about Long Covid symptoms. People may be waiting for a Long Covid diagnosis or be unsure if they had COVID‐19. Lack of certainty in particular groups may suggest that some groups are less likely to be successfully diagnosed. Stigma and self‐doubt can shape self‐identification with Long Covid, which could be discouraging people from seeking diagnosis. Some individuals experiences may be viewed as unreliable, the degree by which a person is not believed may depend on their social identity.

Conclusion

There is an unequal distribution of Long Covid in England, with the condition being more prevalent in minoritised and disadvantaged groups, including those who have another long term health condition. There are high levels of uncertainty about having Long Covid, with more people who are unsure whether they have it than those who are sure they have it. Improved awareness is needed, including amongst health care workers, to ensure that the most people vulnerable in society are identified and provided with care and support. Learning from and comparisons with other similar long term health conditions, such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, may be helpful in adding to the body of knowledge.

Read the research here