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News
More than 1 in 10 healthcare workers are still dealing with long COVID symptoms months after infection, a new study finds. Older age, female sex, and multiple underlying conditions raised the odds significantly. The findings raise fresh concerns about workforce sustainability at a time when staffing shortages are already a major challenge.
A new study published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine finds that long COVID is far from over for a significant share of healthcare workers. Researchers from the University of Iowa tracked roughly 1,500 healthcare personnel (HCP) across 17 states who tested positive for COVID between August 2022 and May 2024. Over 11% reported persistent moderate or severe symptoms — including fatigue, brain fog, and joint pain — at both three and six months post-infection, with fatigue being the most commonly reported.
The burden wasn't evenly distributed. Women were three times more likely than men to report persistent symptoms, workers aged 65+ had 3.5x the odds compared to those aged 18–29, and those with two or more underlying conditions faced 2.5x greater odds. Notably, recent COVID vaccination was unexpectedly associated with a higher rate of persistent symptoms — though researchers caution this may reflect selection or misclassification bias in the self-reported data.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Healthcare systems are already stretched thin by burnout and staffing shortages. Long COVID adding to that strain — through reduced hours, role changes, or accommodations — could have serious ripple effects on care delivery and workforce sustainability.
