Long Covid more than twice as likely in people from UK’s most deprived areas Exclusive

People in the most socioeconomically deprived fifth of the UK population are more than twice as likely to develop long Covid as those in the top fifth, [according to a new study](https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)01136-X/fulltext).

Some 3.2 per cent of the most deprived 20 per cent developed the condition, compared to 1.54 per cent in the highest fifth, according to research led by Oxford University, based on figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The researchers put the disparity down to the fact that this group were far more likely to have had front line jobs and were less likely to be able to take time out to rest when they became infected or work remotely – with rest playing a key role in preventing an infection developing into[ long Covid](https://inews.co.uk/topic/long-covid?ico=in-line_link).

Long Covid patients are classified as having the disease for 12 weeks or more. Although vaccines play a key role in reducing infection, scientists believe some positive cases of long Covid may have contracted the virus before the vaccine rollout began in December 2020.

“Basically, the most deprived fifth of the population have twice the prevalence of long Covid than the most affluent,” lead researcher, Professor Trisha Greenhalgh, told **i**.

“This is probably because they were more likely to get Covid in pre-vaccine days – for example by working in jobs where they couldn’t work from home.”

Professor Greenhalgh added: “They may also have had more medical conditions. Diabetes, for example, is commoner in the more deprived groups. And they were less able to rest during the acute phase.”

The study is published in the *Lancet* medical journal.

Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at Warwick University, who was not involved in the research, told **i**: “The link between many different diseases and social deprivation is well established.

It’s also way more common in trans and non binary identifying people. Go figure

I saw a thing a while ago,
No real sense of how accurate it was.

But they were saying the fight-or-flight hormone is to blame for things like this.

Obviously in short, sharp bursts it’s hugely beneficial, as it may well safe your life in a dangerous situation.

But, if there’s a constant stream of it, always in your system, then it can seriously affect your health.

Constant fears around money or job security, etc. means the less fortunate have way higher background levels of this hormone, and it’s likely responsible for general poor health.

Not rlly surprising ur probably more likely to work a job where u can’t work from home in those areas

Most likely “shit life syndrome”. 

Yes, it’s a real thing, although doctors will usually call it fibromyalgia to make it more palatable. 

All I can give is my experience. Before Covid I taught martial arts for years. I was fit and healthy. Gym every morning, dojo most evenings and running every Saturday. Covid caused long covid. I couldn’t walk. Got 2 pulmonary embolisms and pneumonia. Nearly died a few times. Was in and out of the hospital. I’ve had to give up martial arts and training which made me go into depression. I still can’t walk far. I have severe memory loss. I can’t remember words or names. If it wasn’t for my wife and kids who looked after me I probably wouldn’t be here. People have and will commit suicide because of this.

Unfalsifiable excuse for not working more likely to be used by people less likely to work. What a shocker.