Saturday 15 March marks Long Covid Awareness Day, a critical opportunity to raise awareness of the ongoing and often debilitating effects of Long Covid, which continues to impact millions of individuals across the UK. As the pandemic’s long-term consequences remain stark, communities and advocacy groups across the country are coming together to raise their voices in solidarity and demand urgent action from the government.
This year’s awareness day is marked by a series of coordinated campaigns, focusing on increasing government commitment to funding crucial research and support services. These initiatives aim to shine a light on the personal, economic, and societal impact of Long Covid, calling for targeted research into biomarkers, drug treatments, and a deeper understanding of the disease’s pathophysiology.
Long Covid Awareness Day
This year, two groups are taking action across the UK.
First, Long Covid Advocacy is launching a powerful postcard campaign, #Postcards4LC, to key health figures and policymakers, urging them to prioritize funding for Long Covid research and treatment.
The campaign aims to highlight the struggles of those living with Long Covid, demanding that government and healthcare leaders take immediate action to address the healthcare crisis it has created.
Then, Not Recovered UK will distribute informative leaflets and light-up buildings to raise awareness of Long Covid within local communities. Leaflet handout spots include Edinburgh and London.
The leaflets will provide essential information on the symptoms of Long Covid, available support resources, and a call to action for stronger public health policies to address this pressing issue. Shipbuilders Port in Glasgow and the Penshaw monument in Sunderland will be lit-up teal.
Long Covid: far-reaching impacts
Long Covid affects millions in the UK, with recent estimates suggesting over 2.5 million people are living with the condition. Symptoms can range from fatigue and cognitive dysfunction to severe respiratory issues and debilitating pain, with many sufferers struggling to return to work or maintain daily activities.
Personal stories from those impacted highlight the ongoing, often invisible burden of Long Covid, which continues to disrupt lives months or even years after the initial infection.
The long-term effects of the disease have led to significant economic and social costs. In 2024, the UK government’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that Long Covid contributed to approximately 1.5 million working-age people being unable to work or reduced in their working capacity.
This has an enormous economic impact, with estimates of lost productivity and healthcare costs reaching billions of pounds.
The economic consequences of Long Covid are profound. The ONS reports that approximately 1.4 million people in the UK are suffering from symptoms lasting longer than four weeks, with an alarming proportion experiencing symptoms lasting over a year.
These figures contribute to an estimated £10 billion annual economic loss due to lost working hours, healthcare expenses, and the broader societal strain of caring for those affected.
The government must act
To mark Long Covid Awareness Day, advocates and affected communities are calling on the UK government to commit substantial funding towards:
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Research into biomarkers for Long Covid, to better understand the root causes and identify effective treatments.
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Drug treatments for those suffering from ongoing symptoms, which are not adequately addressed by current healthcare options.
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A deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of Long Covid, including its impact on various organ systems, to guide the development of more effective medical responses and treatments.
Claire Every from Long Covid Advocacy said:
Long Covid is a national health crisis, and it’s time for the government to recognize the immense strain it places on individuals, families, and the economy. The research and funding gaps must be addressed if we are to see any meaningful recovery for those affected by this ongoing disease.
Alex Sprackland from Not Recovered UK said:
We are now five years into the Covid-19 pandemic and according to ONS there are 2 million people in the UK suffering from Long Covid. To this day, there are still no treatments for those people suffering. Research has stalled due to lack of funding and the Long Covid clinics are closing leaving people without hope. The government promised the people suffering help, we want to know… Where is it?
Featured image via the Canary
