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Oral - Applied

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While the public health emergency of COVID-19 has been declared over for some time, a large segment of the global population is now experiencing what health professionals have termed “Long COVID.” Long COVID is a unique condition characterized by the emergence of novel or prolonged symptoms following an acute COVID-19 infection. The Central Virginia Health District (CVHD), within the Virginia Department of Health, developed an evidence-based interview to collect data on self-reported cases of Long COVID within residents of its’ district. CVHD includes the counties of Appomattox, Amherst, Bedford, Campbell, and Lynchburg City. The aim of this research is to better understand and investigate the risk factors, demographics, symptomatology, and various other factors that characterize the Long COVID experience. Data were collected via telephone interviews from October 5, 2023, to November 20, 2023. After case interviews were conducted, descriptive analyses were performed on all the responses of study participants. Results indicate that the majority of the participants had body mass indices in the overweight or obese categories, and experienced new diagnoses of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and sleep disorders to name a few. The sample also reportedly struggled with low levels of social support. Further, the analyses demonstrate the continued effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine. Data from this study show that 50% of participants had not received a single dose of the COVID-19 vaccine prior to developing Long COVID and 87.5% were not up to date on their vaccinations. Findings from this study highlight the importance of following current COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for the prevention of both acute COVID-19 infections and Long COVID. In summary, these results demonstrate the need for increased support across social networks, professional spheres, and community organizations in recognizing the real, devastating effects of Long COVID.

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Apr 16th, 10:00 AM

A Preliminary Analysis of Self-Reported Long COVID Experience among Residents of the Central Virginia Health District, through Partnership with the Virginia Department of Health, October 5, 2023- November 20, 2023

Oral - Applied

While the public health emergency of COVID-19 has been declared over for some time, a large segment of the global population is now experiencing what health professionals have termed “Long COVID.” Long COVID is a unique condition characterized by the emergence of novel or prolonged symptoms following an acute COVID-19 infection. The Central Virginia Health District (CVHD), within the Virginia Department of Health, developed an evidence-based interview to collect data on self-reported cases of Long COVID within residents of its’ district. CVHD includes the counties of Appomattox, Amherst, Bedford, Campbell, and Lynchburg City. The aim of this research is to better understand and investigate the risk factors, demographics, symptomatology, and various other factors that characterize the Long COVID experience. Data were collected via telephone interviews from October 5, 2023, to November 20, 2023. After case interviews were conducted, descriptive analyses were performed on all the responses of study participants. Results indicate that the majority of the participants had body mass indices in the overweight or obese categories, and experienced new diagnoses of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and sleep disorders to name a few. The sample also reportedly struggled with low levels of social support. Further, the analyses demonstrate the continued effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine. Data from this study show that 50% of participants had not received a single dose of the COVID-19 vaccine prior to developing Long COVID and 87.5% were not up to date on their vaccinations. Findings from this study highlight the importance of following current COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for the prevention of both acute COVID-19 infections and Long COVID. In summary, these results demonstrate the need for increased support across social networks, professional spheres, and community organizations in recognizing the real, devastating effects of Long COVID.

 

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