Long Covid challenges in Brazil

An unfinished agenda for the Brazilian Unified National Health System

Dados Bibliográficos

ID5222756
AutoresAlberto Novaes Ramos (0000-0001-7982-1757, Universidade Federal do Ceará, autor correspondente)
Ano2024
Volume40
Fascículo2
Data de publicação2024-01-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoCadernos de Saude Publica (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0102-311X • E-ISSN: 1678-4464
EditoraFapUNIFESP (SciELO) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1590/0102-311xen008724
OpenAlexW4391941546
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas1
Referências citadas20

The COVID-19 pandemic represented an unprecedented public health and humanitarian crisis in the history of humanity and, from a syndemic perspective, caused unequal and long-term direct and indirect effects on the population combined with political, economic, social, environmental, and individual issues 1,2,3 .From the first cases in 2019 to December 31, 2023, the cumulative number of global cases and deaths reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) was impressive, despite the number of underreported cases: almost 774 million people affected, of which, more than 38 million in Brazil (4.9%).In total, COVID-19 caused 7 million deaths including 708,000 in Brazil (10%) 4,5 .With the WHO declaring COVID-19 a global health emergency in February 2020, global efforts have focused on reducing morbidity, with measures to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2, vaccination to prevent infection and severe clinical forms, and reducing mortality 2,6 .Brazil, despite the response of Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS, acronym in Portuguese), has negative inter-federative articulation and coping strategies 1,2 .In addition the significant number of cases and deaths, COVID-19 is recognized as a chronic condition with high morbidity and mortality, despite being neglected by governments, researchers, health professionals, society in general, and people affected 2,6,7,8,9,10,11 .This clinical syndrome was initially called "long COVID" by patients with strong social media engagement and mobilization in advocacy strategies.The idea was to raise awareness and give visibility to an emerging public health problem 3,8,9,11,12 .The WHO officially recognized it in August 2020 13 , and defined it as a "post-COVID-19 condition" in people with probable or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, usually with persistent signs/symptoms three months after infection and lasting at least two months, and which are not explained by another diagnosis 8,12,13 .Other names are found in the literature, with specific definitions but limited consensus: "post-COVID syndrome" (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence/United Kingdom), "post-COVID-19 conditions" (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/United States), "persistent symptoms or consequences of COVID-19", and "post-acute sequelae of SARS CoV-2 infection" 3,8,12

2019-20 coronavirus outbreak · Betacoronavirus · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) · Economic growth · Economics · Geography · Health care · Healthcare system · Political science · Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Intensive Care Unit Cognitive Disorders · Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 · Medicine · Virology