Shock impacts of long Covid revealed
More than $50m will be spent studying the phenomena known as long Covid, after an inquiry heard shocking evidence of the condition’s impact on vulnerable Australians.
Health Minister Mark Butler, announcing the $50m funding allocation for the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) on Monday, said long Covid is “an emerging health issue, both in Australia and internationally.”
It follows the House of Representative’s Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport making nine unanimous recommendations in a new report which prompted the spend.
Although there is no official definition of the condition known as long Covid in Australia, it is referred to in medical circles as post-acute sequelae of Covid-19, or PASC.
The report has itself recommended a definition be made.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines long Covid as a “condition that occurs in individuals with a history of probable or confirmed SARS CoV-2 infection, usually three months from the onset of Covid-19 with symptoms and that last for at least two months and cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis”.
Common symptoms can include “fatigue, shortness of breath, cognitive dysfunction but also others and generally have an impact on everyday functioning”.
These symptoms may be a new onset following the initial recovery from Covid-19 or persist from the initial illness.
“Symptoms may also fluctuate or relapse over time,” the WHO states.
The committee’s deputy chair Melissa McIntosh said they heard from almost 600 individuals, organisations, and government bodies who made submissions.
“Throughout the inquiry, the Committee heard from hundreds of Australians about what it is like to live with long Covid and how the condition impacts their daily lives,” the Lindsay MP said.
“The committee was particularly concerned to hear that long Covid is associated with poor mental health.
“The committee heard that many individuals with long Covid feel isolated, disbelieved, anxious, or depressed.”
Grant opportunities will open in August, with the research aiming to generate evidence to inform policy and clinical guidance, improve health outcomes and increase awareness of the condition in the community.
Mr Butler said the $50m funding boost was an “an initial response to the inquiry.”
“I have tasked my department with developing a national plan to respond to long Covid, taking into consideration the committee’s findings,” he said.
The committee also recommended creating evidence-based guidelines for living with long Covid, more support for primary healthcare providers, access to antiviral treatments for Covid-19, and a nationally co-ordinated research program for both Covid-19 and long Covid.
