Long COVID, chronic conditions significantly impacting productivity in American workers
Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. adults who have had COVID-19 are still experiencing persistent symptoms three or more months after their initial COVID-19 diagnosis.
The effects of long COVID, as well as certain chronic conditions, are significantly impacting worker productivity, according to a new analysis by the Integrated Benefits Institute (IBI) — a nonprofit organization dedicated to health and productivity research.
Long COVID in individuals without any chronic conditions result in an average of 10.2 missed workdays, while chronic illnesses (such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, musculoskeletal, respiratory, and mental health conditions) combined with long COVID leads to a two-fold increase in missed workdays, from 8.9 to 17.9.
Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. adults who have had COVID-19 are still experiencing persistent symptoms three or more months after their initial COVID-19 diagnosis, IBI researchers say, adding that the likelihood of developing long COVID was found to be more than five times higher in those with severe COVID-19 symptoms compared to those with mild or no symptoms.
The institute’s analysis used data from the National Health Interview Survey and the IBI Benchmarking Portal, the country’s largest collection of claims for employer-sponsored short-term disability (STD), long-term disability, family and medical leave, and workers’ compensation.
Other findings:
- Almost half (47%) of individuals with long COVID report obesity as a comorbid condition. Additionally, more than one third (38.5%) of individuals with long COVID also report having a mental health condition — specifically anxiety or depression — followed by musculoskeletal conditions.
- Long COVID has had a significant impact on disability claims, duration, and costs. According to IBI’s Benchmarking Portal data, long COVID had 4,442 STD claims in 2021.
- For COVID-19, the average payment per closed STD claim stands at $2,739. Long COVID, however, has a notably higher average STD payment of $5,417, which reflects the more substantial financial burden associated with managing long COVID-related STD claims.
- Long COVID has a much higher number of calendar days lost per STD claim at 90 days, compared with COVID-19 claims (22 days).
Related: Chronic conditions: The top reason for rising health care costs in the U.S.
What can employers do?
The study’s findings shed light on the complex relationship that exists between long COVID, chronic conditions, and work-related outcomes as employers face the challenges of navigating reduced productivity, disability claim costs, and prolonged symptoms.